CTA Purple Line viaduct project progresses

Crews are continuing work on the Chicago Transit Authority Purple Line viaduct at Greenleaf Street in Evanston. Rail service along the Purple Line will be temporarily suspended from the Howard Terminal to the Davis Street station Friday, June 8 until 4 a.m. Monday, June 11.

Manufacturer rep agency, Railliance, Inc., launches

Industry sales veteran Eric Schook has formed Railliance, Inc., a manufacturer’s rep agency specifically focused on rail (freight, transit and industrial) industries. Schook has nearly 20 years of experience in domestic and international railway supply with Cattron, Hirschmann and Ansaldo STS.

BNSF plans $65 million capital program in New Mexico

BNSF plans to invest an estimated $65 million on track and rail capacity improvement projects in New Mexico this year.

CP awards Parsons-LifeSpan structural monitoring contract

Parsons has been awarded a contract by Canadian Pacific for the structural monitoring and advanced condition assessment of its La Crosse Rail Bridge. The bridge was one of the first 15 bridges built across the Mississippi River and it spans between La Crescent, Minn., and La Crosse, Wis.

CTA to rebuild 10-mile stretch of Red Line

The Chicago Transit Authority plans to take on one of the biggest CTA construction projects in CTA history: the complete reconstruction of the South Red Line from Cermak-Chinatown to 95th Street.

SANDAG begins construction on Sorrento to Miramar Double Track Project

The San Diego Association of Governments started construction on Phase 1 of the Sorrento to Miramar Double Track Project, one of 20 capital improvement projects now in development along San Diego County’s 60-mile segment of the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo rail corridor (LOSSAN).

BNSF to invest $80 million in Arizona track maintenance

BNSF plans to invest an estimated $80 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement projects in Arizona this year.

UP plans $19 million capital program in Colorado and Wyoming

Union Pacific is enhancing transportation infrastructure in Colorado and Wyoming by investing more than $19 million.

LACMTA begins advanced utility relocation work for Crenshaw/LAX light-rail

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has begun the advanced utility relocation work for the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor construction project, which is the first contract awarded under LACMTA’s new Project Labor Agreement, a pact between LACMTA and the building trades to implement a targeted hiring program that will help provide jobs to economically disadvantaged workers.

AECOM to design Toronto’s Air Rail Link spur

AECOM was named lead design subconsultant to a joint venture contracted to design, build and finance a spur line and passenger station as part of Ontario’s Air Rail Link (ARL). The ARL will connect the existing Georgetown GO transit line and link the city’s two busiest transportation hubs – Union Station downtown and Toronto Pearson International Airport.

BNSF plans $306 million capital program in three states

BNSF plans to invest an estimated $306 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvements in California, Minnesota and North Dakota in 2012.

CTC allocates $37.6 million to Baldwin Ave. grade separation project

The California Transportation Commission voted to allocate $37.6 million in state bond funds to construct the Baldwin Avenue grade separation project in the City of El Monte. The award of funds will permit the Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority to prepare to release the project for bids from contractors.

BNSF plans $111 million capital program in Montana

BNSF plans to invest an estimated $111 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement projects in Montana this year.

BNSF plans $30 million capital program in South Dakota

BNSF plans to invest an estimated $30 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement projects in South Dakota this year.

RTD West Rail Line to open in April 2013, eight months early

The Denver, Colo., Regional Transportation District will open the West Rail Line to the public on April 26, 2013, eight months ahead of the originally scheduled opening date. The West Rail Line is the first FasTracks project to be completed and part of the current $4.2 billion investment in the region. Presently, 50 miles of new rail line are in construction or under contract to begin construction.

BNSF plans $199 million capital program in Texas

BNSF plans to invest an estimated $199 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement and expansion projects in Texas this year.

Illinois HSR corridor work continues

The Illinois Department of Transportation and Union Pacific are upgrading Illinois’ high-speed route, Chicago-St. Louis, for future high-speed Amtrak trains. The improvements for 110-mph service include the installation of new premium rail with concrete ties and ballast; upgrades to bridges, culverts and drainage; signal and wayside equipment installations and upgrades and roadway-rail grade crossing improvements.

Officials kick off Eads Bridge Rehabilitation project

Deputy Federal Transit Administrator Therese McMillan joined Missouri and Illinois officials to kick off the Eads Bridge Rehabilitation Project, which will repair and restore the historic, 138-year old bridge and ensure safe and efficient light-rail service for thousands of people who use the bridge to cross the Mississippi River every day.

Milestone reached on Dulles Metrorail project

Engineering, project management and construction company, Bechtel, has been building Phase 1 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project in northern Virginia and has installed the final segment of the elevated Tysons East Guideway, signaling the close out of the heavy civil work needed on the project.

LIRR plans $211.5 million in infrastructure improvements

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Long Island Rail Road plans to invest $211.5 million in Main Line infrastructure improvements, including a $55 million facelift for Hicksville Station. Other projects include a new bridge in Westbury and track drainage fix in Mineola.

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