Koppers completes Osmose Wood Preservation and Railroad Services acquisition
Koppers Inc., has completed its acquisition of the wood preservation and railroad services businesses of Osmose Holdings, Inc.
Track Structure
Agreement reached for Northcoast Railroad TIGER grant
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and New Hampshire reached an agreement concerning a $1.4-million Transportation Investment Generating Economy Recovery (TIGER) 2013 grant for the New Hampshire Northcoast Rail Improvement Project, which will repair and improve sections of the rail line between Ossipee and Rochester.
CTA awards contract for Brown and Purple Line trackwork
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) launched the second phase of a major $71.2-million Brown and Purple Line renovation project with a $40.3-million contract award to Kiewit Infrastructure Co., which will upgrade tracks along the Brown and Purple Line between Armitage and the Merchandise Mart.
Another OC Bridges grade crossing moves to the completed column
The $64-million Sand Canyon Undercrossing Project in Irving, Calif., part of Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) OC Bridges program, is now open.
CTA considering two Red Line extension options
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has narrowed down the proposed Red Line Extension (RLE) Project to two preliminary options.
UP plans Iowa trackwork; celebrates best-ever derailment safety performance
Union Pacific will strengthen Iowa’s transportation infrastructure by investing $6 million in the rail line between Burt and Goldfield, Iowa. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began July 25 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-October.
Etherton to serve as interim AREMA chief
Larry Etherton, PE, retired director engineering, Norfolk Southern and former president of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA), has assumed the role of interim executive director and chief executive officer of AREMA.
CTA awarded federal Core Capacity funds for red, purple line modernization
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) a $35-million Core Capacity grant to lay the groundwork to improve service and capacity on a heavily-traveled segment of its aging North Red Line and Purple Line rail transit system.
Caltrain Board approves capital budget
Caltrain’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a $43.6-million capital budget, which will provide funding for bridge repair work in San Mateo, new safety improvements on the rail system and station modifications to allow for longer trains.
UP performing close to $10 million of trackwork on Nebraska, Wyoming line
Union Pacific will strengthen transportation infrastructure in Wyoming and Nebraska by investing $9.6 million in the rail line between near Scottsbluff, Neb., and Shawnee, Wyo. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began July 13 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of September.
Tanana River Bridge, Alaska’s longest, completed
The Tanana River Bridge in Fairbanks, Alaska, the longest in the state, has been completed on time and on budget, according to Gov. Sean Parnell.
IDOT, IAIS agreement advances Chicago to Quad Cities passenger service
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reached an agreement with Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) to perform design work for a portion of the route for the new passenger rail service between Chicago and Moline. Next month, IDOT is planning to begin making improvements to accommodate service on the BNSF portion of the route.
UP performing $11 million worth of work on Colorado, Wyoming infrastructure
Union Pacific will strengthen Colorado’s and Wyoming’s transportation infrastructures by investing $11 million in the rail line between LaSalle, Colo., and near Cheyenne, Wyo. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began July 9 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-December.
New rail bridge in Pennsylvania to be dedicated next week
The Susquehanna Economic Development Association-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Joint Rail Authority (JRA) will dedicate the newly constructed Loyalsock Creek Railroad Bridge August 13.
RailTEC’s new research center is unique in North America
Rail safety and innovation has been given an even greater emphasis at the federal level these days. The Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC), based in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is at the heart of cutting edge research
Broken rail with RCF evidence blamed for Ellicott City coal train derailment
The derailment of a CSX coal train on a railroad bridge in Ellicott City, Md., on August 20, 2012, was caused by a broken rail with evidence of rolling contact fatigue (RCF), according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Construction for Detroit streetcar begins
Construction crews took to Woodward Avenue in Detroit July 28 to start construction activities on the city’s new 3.3-mile modern streetcar line, M-1 RAIL.
MTA plans to invest in additional safety measures
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) plans to implement a series of new and enhanced safety initiatives to better ensure the safety of its customers and employees.
UP performing $8 million worth of work in Kansas
Union Pacific will strengthen Kansas’ transportation infrastructure by investing $8 million in the rail line between Herington and Whitewater. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began July 16 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of September.
WMATA officially opens Silver Line for service
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority’s (WMATA) rail system grew 10 percent with five new stations and new direct rail service between the Washington D.C. region’s two largest employment centers, all as a result of the opening of the Silver Line’s first phase.
WMATA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Richard Sarles joined federal, state and local officials for the grand opening ceremony July 25 at Wiehle-Reston East Station.