NYCT begins FASTRACK in Manhattan and Queens

Starting January 20, Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit will bring FASTRACK to the E, F, M and R lines in Manhattan and Queens. For four consecutive weeknights until early morning January 24, E service will be suspended between Roosevelt Ave. and World Trade Center. F service will be suspended between Roosevelt Ave. and 21 St.-Queensbridge. M service will end early between 71 Ave. and Essex St. each night. R service will end early between 71 Ave. and Whitehall St. each night.

FASTRACK has been designed around the careful determination that there is adequate alternate means of transportation, including enhanced services along some bus lines during work periods.

FASTRACK was introduced in January 2012, devoting four straight weeknights to perform maintenance work in tunnels, stations and on tracks, completely suspending service within a given line segment for a seven-hour period, allowing an army of maintenance workers to perform dozens of tasks.

The next FASTRACK overnight closure will be on the 2, 3 and 4 Eastern Parkway Line, between Atlantic Ave.-Barclays Ctr. and Franklin Ave., beginning January 27 and ending early January 31.

 

The found flaw

Advancements in equipment and technology push detection of rail flaws to new levels.

NS, Virginia agree to improve infrastructure for the return of Roanoke passenger service

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and Norfolk Southern have entered into an agreement to improve rail related infrastructure between Lynchburg and Roanoke. The improvements will allow passenger rail to once again serve the Roanoke Region.

NS facilitates $2.3 billion in industrial investment in 2013

Norfolk Southern says that it participated in the location of 67 new industries and the expansion of 25 existing industries along its rail lines in 2013.

MTA brings FASTRACK to the G line in Brooklyn

Beginning January 6, for the first time, Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit is bringing FASTRACK to the G Subway Line in Brooklyn. G Line service will be suspended between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Church Avenue for four consecutive weeknights until early morning, January 10.

NYCT upgrading vacuum train to keep subways clean

After years of sucking up tons of track debris from the underground portions of the subway system, one of Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit’s (NYCT) two vacuum trains is receiving an extensive late-life overhaul and upgrade aimed at improving efficiency, increasing reliability and easing maintenance tasks.

WMATA weekend rebuilding work begins on the Red Line

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Red Line will undergo construction upgrades December 27-29, beginning Friday evening and concluding late Sunday. Track maintenance and signage installation will occur between Dupont Circle and Judiciary Square.

KCS State of the Railroad: Starling outlines m/w accomplishments and future projects

Kansas City Southern’s President and CEO David Starling issued his annual State of the Railroad letter sharing KCS’ “successes and tremendous potential.”

CTA to make largest Blue Line investment in 30 years

The Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) will overhaul its Blue Line O’Hare Branch, which will provide faster travel times and updated stations while creating more than 1,300 jobs.

ICC approves rail spur, two crossing projects

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) issued an order approving construction of a new highway-rail grade rail crossing on Broadway Road in Coal City.

Rebuilding effort continues as service returns to Metro-North Hudson Line

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad resumed more than 98 percent of its regular Hudson Line service December 4, following last weekend’s derailment.

UP performing trackwork in Colorado

Union Pacific plans to strengthen Colorado’s transportation infrastructure by investing $6.5 million in the rail line between Boyero and Limon. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began November 21 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of December.

MTA continues Sandy resiliency work on all fronts

Despite a historic level of repair work throughout the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s network of tracks, tunnels and under-river tubes, the authority said that effects of Superstorm Sandy will be felt for years to come.

Sen. Schumer mediates plan to improve East River Tunnels

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) says that Amtrak has developed a plan to greatly and quickly improve the conditions of the East River Tunnels used by every Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train that leaves or arrives at Penn Station. The tunnels are owned by Amtrak and, according to Schumer, have been a massive source of delays for commuters.

Metro-North to perform Bronx trackwork

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad will complete a major track improvement project in the Bronx this weekend that will improve reliability with all four tracks in the area back in service for the first time since the upgrade began July 1, 2013.

UP to perform improvements on Nebraska line

Union Pacific will strengthen Nebraska’s transportation infrastructure by investing $2.4 million in the rail line between South Morrill and Joyce, Neb. The project began on November 7 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-December.

NYCT wraps up FASTRACK maintenance on Grand Concourse

Last week, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit’s (NYCT) FASTRACK maintenance program came to the Grand Concourse Line with hundreds of subway maintenance workers going into tunnels and stations to complete repairs ranging from clearing track drains to replacing worn sections of rail.

CN unveils WinterREADY plan

Canadian National says it has spent the past 12 months engaging customers in order to better position the railroad for success during the upcoming winter. The result is CN’s WinterREADY Plan 2013-2014, which the railroad says adds resiliency to its network and improves communication flow.

Work to begin on tying Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension into existing Gold Line

The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority in California has been making progress on the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension, the 11.5-mile addition that will extend the Gold Line from its current terminus in eastern Pasadena to a new station in Azusa just north of Citrus College.

Engineering Chicago-St. Louis HSR

Coordinating a project of this scope, size and time-frame requires ultimate cooperation between all parties involved.

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