CTA begins Blue Line overhaul this weekend

The Chicago Transit Authority’s Your New Blue track and station improvement program for the Blue Line O’Hare branch will begin this weekend, with track closures between Western and Logan Square.

RTD FasTracks breaks ground on North Metro Rail Line

Denver Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) FasTracks broke ground March 20 on the North Metro Rail Line, a new passenger rail service that will improve transit options for Denver’s northern communities when it opens in 2018.

NJ mayors band together for light rail extension

Englewood, N.J., Mayor Frank Huttle III, along with 11 other mayors in the state have formed a mayors’ commission to spearhead a plan to extend the northern portion of New Jersey Transit’s Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Line through Bergen County.

Study puts price of New Orleans to Baton Rouge passenger train at $262 million

A study by HNTB Corp. indicates that a passenger train linking New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La., on existing freight tracks, with stops in between, could begin two daily trips, ultimately growing to regular service with a possible station near the New Orleans International Airport.

Maintaining ballast

Technological advancements are being incorporated into North American ballast maintenance products and services.

CREATE keeps Chicago rail moving

In it’s 11th year, the CREATE program continues its capacity and safety enhancements to secure Chicago’s place in a strong national rail network.

UP performing $4.5 million in trackwork between Nebraska and Iowa

Union Pacific will strengthen transportation infrastructure in Nebraska and Iowa by investing nearly $4.5 million in the rail line between Omaha, Neb., and near Missouri Valley, Iowa. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began March 5 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of May.

UNITRAC, NRC host Rep. Duncan for Knoxville facility tour

U.S. Rep. John Duncan, Jr. (R-TN-02), joined representatives from UNITRAC Railroad Materials, the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC), the Gulf & Ohio Railway and Nisus Corp. for a tour of UNITRAC’s manufacturing facility in Knoxville, Tenn., on March 17.

Stella-Jones to acquire Boatright wood treating facilities

Stella-Jones Inc. has signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire the wood treating facilities of Boatright Railroad Products, Inc., located in Montevallo and Clanton, Ala.

RTD to break ground March 20 on North Metro Rail Line

Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) will break ground March 20 on the North Metro Rail Line, a new passenger rail service that will improve transit options for Denver’s northern region and connect riders to existing transit services.

OTCA opens first grade separation project in OC Bridges program

Orange County Transportation Authority (OTCA) has opened the first grade separation project of seven in its OC Bridges program and has opened Placentia Avenue to traffic where BNSF now crosses over the road.

Fort Worth & Western awards construction management contract for bridge project

Atkins has been awarded a construction management services contract by the Fort Worth & Western Railroad (FWWR) for a bridge and retaining wall construction project adjacent to FWWR’s operational facilities on East Long Avenue in Fort Worth, Texas.

Railway Age names 2014 Short Line, 2014 Regional Railroad of the Year

Railway Age magazine has named Coos Bay Rail Link the 2014 Short Line Railroad of the Year, and Arkansas & Missouri Railroad Co. its 2014 Regional Railroad of the Year. The awards will be presented at the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s annual meeting in San Diego, Calif., Friday, April 25, 2014.

AAR: Freight railroads to spend $26 billion on infrastructure in 2014

According to an estimate released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), the nation’s freight railroads project they will spend approximately $26 billion to build, maintain and upgrade their nationwide rail network this year.

APTA asks Congress to authorize $100-billion federal transit program

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has released its recommendations for authorization of the transportation bill that is set to expire at the end of September 2014.

Lack of funds kills Oregon’s Columbia River Crossing project

Oregon’s Columbia River Crossing project will shut down completely by May 31, 2014, after the Oregon Legislature adjourned without reinstating construction funds for the CRC I-5 Bridge Replacement project March 7, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

BNSF plans $250 million in capacity enhancements in North Dakota

BNSF has committed to making $250 million in investments for rail transportation improvements in North Dakota.

Construction begins on Evergreen Line tunnel

Construction has started on the Evergreen Line tunnel in Vancouver, BC, Canada, with the use of tunnel boring machine named “Alice,” after Alice Wilson, Canada’s first female geologist.

Amtrak outlines 2014 infrastructure schedule

Amtrak plans to move forward on key improvement projects in 2014, including continued installation of positive train control (PTC), the start of major construction to upgrade Northeast Corridor high-speed rail and expansion of station accessibility for passengers with disabilities.

MBTA opens Yawkey Station

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority opened its new Yawkey Station and marked the start of enhanced passenger rail service on the Framingham/Worcester Line.

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