New U.S.-Mexico rail bridge to open in second half of 2015
The first railroad bridge to be built in more than a century connecting the U.S. and Mexico is expected to be operational by the second half of 2015.
Proper handling for moving materials
Multi-purpose and safe equipment is what the railroads want.
Does missing ballast result in development of track geometry defects?
The correlation between missing ballast and the development of geometry defects is explored.
Robust design behind the Tanana River Bridge
Alaska’s longest bridge is designed to withstand floods, large debris, ice jams, road and rail traffic and just about anything else the wilderness can throw at it.
Port of Corpus Christi opens first phase of Nueces River Rail Yard
Port Corpus Christi opened Phase 1 of the Nueces River Rail Yard (NRRY) April 10.
STB approves Louisville & Indiana track upgrade
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board has approved a joint proposal by Anacostia Rail Holdings’ (ARH) subsidiary, Louisville & Indiana Railroad (L&I) and CSX to upgrade a key freight corridor between Indianapolis, Ind., and Louisville, Ky.
Metra plans tie, switch projects on Milwaukee District Lines; readies Englewood Flyover for expansion
Chicagoland’s Metra will perform tie replacement and switch replacement along its Milwaukee District Lines this spring.
DEIS published for Sound Transit for Federal Way Link Extension
Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administration have published the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for extending Link light rail to Kent/Des Moines and, when funding is available, to Federal Way.
FTA’s McMillan: Long-term transportation funding will stop filling potholes
U.S. Department of Transportation’s Acting Federal Transit Administrator Therese McMillan, along with transportation infrastructure supporters across the country, highlighted the need for long-term transportation funding to support a robust and sustainable transportation system.
WMATA to return Red Line to automatic train operation
Following years of signal upgrades, independent testing and the closure of key National Transportation Safety Board safety recommendations, Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority will return the Red Line to automatic train operation (ATO) on April 13.
Skanska awarded contract to rehab trio of Brooklyn stations
Skanska has signed a contract with Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit (MTA-NYCT) for the renewal of three train stations in Brooklyn, N.Y.
RLW named subcontractor for Skyway Bridge
Sterling Construction Company, Inc.’s subsidiary, Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company, LLC (RLW) was selected as a major subcontractor for a joint venture between Balfour Beatty and Graham Contracting on construction of the Skyway Bridge for North Metro Rail in Denver, Colo. Construction of the 9,800-foot bridge is planned to begin in May 2015 and to take two years to complete. RLW’s portion of the project has a value of approximately $29 million.
Genova named RTD interim GM
The Regional Transportation District of Denver (RTD) Board of Directors named David Genova interim general manager, succeeding Phillip Washington, who will resign April 15 to assume the helm of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
“Stand Up For Transportation Day” aims to spur support of federal transportation funding
Stand Up for Transportation Day, April 9, is an effort headed by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) that aims to galvanize support of federal funding of America’s public transportation, roads, bridges and rail systems.
MBTA special panel calls for Fiscal Control Board to help fix “management failures”
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s special panel tasked with reviewing the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) functions and practices outlined a plan of action to reform and improve the authority. The panel’s recommendations include creating a five-member Fiscal and Management Control Board, as well as the creation of one, five and 20 year spending plans after the group “uncovered massive structural and management failures that are on pace to bankrupt the system if left unchecked.”
KCS to invest $19 million in Beaumont to DeQuincy line
Kansas City Southern (KCS) will invest approximately $19 million in 2015 on construction and improvement projects on its Beaumont Subdivision line, which runs from Beaumont, Texas, to DeQuincy, La. The railroad says these projects will help grow capacity, as well as maintain and enhance safety on the KCS cross-border network.
MBTA, Keolis to begin tie replacement project
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Keolis Commuter Services will begin the first of several railroad tie replacement projects on the Lowell and Haverhill lines, part of a $100-million investment in infrastructure improvements for both lines that the MBTA says will increase passenger comfort and reliability.
Expo Light Rail Line begins testing
In California, clearance testing for the second phase of the Expo Metro Line Construction Authority’s Expo Line light-rail project began April 6 with a train running under its own power running west from Culver City. This is the first time a light-rail vehicle has crossed the new bridge over Venice Boulevard.
Sound Transit, Bellevue set to finalize details of East Link partnership
Sound Transit and city of Bellevue leaders proposed an agreement to move ahead with construction of the voter-approved East Link Extension in a way that minimizes construction impacts, commits the city’s financial contribution to a downtown tunnel and promotes the city’s Bel-Red Corridor land use vision.
INDOT, FRA move forward on accountability agreement for Amtrak Hoosier State Line
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reached an understanding of the clear lines of accountability for passenger rail safety and accessibility between Indianapolis, Ind., and Chicago, Ill., allowing Indiana to implement long-term improvements to the daily service.