Work begins on Iowa City grade separation project
Peterson Contractors of Reinbeck has begun work on the First Avenue Grade Separation Project in Iowa City.
Tutor Perini gets Amtrak concrete casing contract
Tutor Perini Corporation has been awarded a contract by Amtrak to construct the 11th Avenue extension to the concrete casing recently completed by Tutor Perini beneath the Eastern Rail Yard of the Hudson Yards site in New York City. The contract value is approximately $56.3 million and the project has been funded through a U.S. Department of Transportation Sandy Resiliency grant under the 2013 Disaster Relief Act.
UP plans $109 million in Iowa trackwork
Union Pacific plans to invest more than $109 million in 2015 to improve Iowa’s transportation infrastructure. The company’s multi-million dollar private investment will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.
KCS performing maintenance on Mexico lines
KCS will perform maintenance-of way-work on Kansas City Southern de Mexico this summer, which will help to grow capacity, as well as maintain and enhance safety on KCS’ cross-border network.
Pennsylvania hires Zarembski to evaluate, advise on freight system risk mitigation
The state of Pennsylvania has hired Dr. Allan M. Zarembski to a three-month contract to assess the state freight system, which hosts 60-70 crude oil trains a week.
Canadian Pacific names Erceg CFO
Canadian Pacific appointed Mark Erceg to executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective May 18, 2015.
PANYNJ commits $40 million to plan AirTrain Newark replacement
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) has committed $40 million to study construction of a new AirTrain system with enhanced capacity, better service and increased reliability.
RTD’s I-255 Line is 60 percent complete
The Denver Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) 10.5 mile-long I-225 Rail Line in Aurora, Colo., is now 60 percent finished.
Delta Regional Authority awards funds to construct Arkansas rail spur
The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) has made a $100,000 investment for construction of a rail spur in Marmaduke, Ark.
Union Pacific invests $119 million in its Illinois rail infrastructure
Union Pacific plans to invest $119 million in 2015 to improve Illinois’ transportation infrastructure. The investment will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.
CTA moves forward with plan to rebuild and modernize Red, Purple Lines
The Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) is moving forward with its Red and Purple Modernization (RPM), a transformational, multi-phase program to completely rebuild and add passenger capacity to the northern section of the Red Line, as well as the Purple Line north of Belmont.
FASTRACK comes to the Brighton Line in Brooklyn
On May 4, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) will bring FASTRACK to the Q on the Brighton Line between Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr. and Prospect Park for two consecutive weeks of maintenance and repairs during weeknights and overnight hours.
Carolina Worrell joins Railway Age as managing editor
Carolina Worrell has joined Railway Age as Managing Editor, based at Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corp.’s headquarters in New York City.
State auditor validates BART’s projections and reinvestment needs
A rigorous state audit validated Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) financial projection process and reaffirmed that BART is facing $9.6 billion in capital needs, potentially affecting the reliability of rail service if additional revenue isn’t secured. The audit reports BART has taken recent steps to improve its process for planning capital improvements and has already begun work to secure funding and identify potential future funds.
UP marks grade-crossing safety milestone
Union Pacific credits a focus on community safety outreach, operating processes and employee training resulting in a record first-quarter grade-crossing safety performance, demonstrating ongoing progress toward the company’s ultimate goal of zero incidents.
Gov. Malloy: Replacement of Norwalk Rail Bridge on schedule
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy and Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner James Redeker say the design for a new Walk Railroad Bridge in Norwalk is progressing and remains on schedule.
PATCO says Ben Franklin Bridge rehab progress is on schedule
According to the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) in New Jersey, the two-year, $103-million Ben Franklin Bridge Track Rehabilitation project is proceeding on-time and on-budget, with electrical, signaling and communication upgrades continuing on the south track of the bridge and in the tunnels in Philadelphia and Camden.
The T Board approves pre-construction services and rail vehicles contracts for TEX Rail
The Board of Directors of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) approved two contracts related to TEX Rail.
J. Reilly McCarren, 1956-2015
J. Reilly McCarren, one of the most accomplished and respected railroaders of the past 35 years, died April 26, 2015 at his Kenilworth, Ill., home after a long battle with cancer. He was 58.
Ontario moves ahead with Finch West Light Rail Transit project
Ontario is moving ahead with the $1.2-billion Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, a priority transit investment in the city of Toronto that will bring much-needed rapid transit to communities along Finch Avenue West.