California Transportation Commission allocates close to $60 million to three rail-related projects
The California Transportation Commission assigned $59.25 million to two grade separation projects and a rail connector project.
DART celebrates 30th anniversary
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) turns 30 this month as the agency celebrates the anniversary of the vote to create DART. On Saturday, Aug. 13, 1983, residents in Dallas and 13 other cities elected to be a part of the new transit agency and contribute one percent in sales tax to fund it.
The Armor Group acquires PQ Shelters
The Armor Group, Inc., of Mason, Ohio, has acquired the assets of PQ Shelters, Inc., formerly Precision Quincy Shelters, of Woodstock, Ill. The company will continue to operate as PQ Shelters.
Purple Line is Maryland’s first transit P3; receives additional $400 million
Nearly $650 million was released in transportation investment funds for Montgomery County, Md., along with an additional $400 million for the $2.5-billion Purple Line project, which will be delivered as the state’s first transit public-private partnership (P3).
UP’s Kansas line to see $20 million in trackwork
Union Pacific will strengthen Kansas’ transportation infrastructure by investing $20 million in the rail line between near Paola and Coffeyville. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began in late July and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.
Canadian coalition says Metrolinx’s bundled LRT tender shuts out smaller firms
According to an analysis by the Construction Design Alliance of Ontario (CDAO), Ontario and Toronto taxpayers could save up to half a billion dollars in construction and design costs for Metrolinx’s Eglinton Crosstown transit project by tendering it differently.
LACMTA Expo Line construction can continue with state Supreme Court ruling
In a six to one decision, the California Supreme Court affirmed the ruling of the Court of Appeals and the approval by the Exposition Construction Authority of the extension of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Expo Line light-rail transit project from Culver City to Santa Monica.
An industrial engineer’s dream job: Track maintenance
Software technology helps maintenance planners get the most out of tight work windows.
The railroads’ ideal M/W machine
Every railroad has a different ideal when it comes to machinery, but safety, reliability and ease of use are common factors found on every wish list.
Ballast Maintenance
In order to keep track in shape, an aggressive ballast maintenance program is key.
FRA issues emergency order to prevent unintended hazardous materials train movement
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) late last week issued an Emergency Order and Safety Advisory to help prevent trains operating on mainline tracks or sidings from moving unintentionally. The order was made in response to the July 6, 2013 derailment in Lac-Mégantic, QB, Canada.
NHDOT to study alternatives to MBTA rail extension
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is undertaking a study of alternatives for a potential extension of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) passenger rail service from Haverhill, Mass., to the Plaistow, N.H. area.
Goldschmidt Thermit acquires PortaCo, Inc.
The Goldschmidt Thermit Group, a company based in Germany that specializes in welding, acquired 100 percent of PortaCo, Inc., a producer of hydraulic power units and tools headquartered in Moorhead, Minn. The Goldschmidt Thermit Group has been represented in the United States market since 1967, by Orgo-Thermit, Inc.
LACMTA hires Atkins as general engineering consultant
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) selected Atkins to serve as a general engineering consultant (GEC) in support of LACMTA’s rail network operations, maintenance and expansion plans.
FAMES Committee finds spike in fatal accidents following lunch
The Fatality Analysis of Maintenance-of-Way Employees and Signalmen (FAMES) Committee issued three recommendations following a report finding a spike in roadway worker fatalities in the hour following the traditional noon mealtime.
Officials tour condition of Housatonic Rail Line, talk upgrades for passenger service
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick joined Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary and CEO Richard Davey and other MassDOT officials July 30, for a 37-mile tour of the Housatonic Railroad line.
NYCT Fix & Fortify tackles Montague Tubes work
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit will commence Fix & Fortify work to the Montague Tubes August 2 and will continue during the weekends for 14 months.
T board advances TEX Rail project by designating its first phase
The board of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) in Texas is scheduled to take action at its August 12 meeting to designate the first phase of the multi-phased TEX Rail commuter rail project.
CSX names Industrial Rail Park a Select Site
The Tuscola Industrial Rail Park in Tuscola, Ill., has been designated as a CSX Select Site. Select Sites are locations for manufacturing projects along the CSX network that can progress rapidly because standard land use issues have been addressed and the site is ready for development following a comprehensive due diligence process. RT&S magazine previously reported the introduction of CSX’s Select Site program January 11, 2012.
“We are excited to add this property to the Select Site program. The community of Tuscola has been great to work with to move the certification program along quickly. This site is competitive and delivers on our program objectives to provide industrial companies with easier development decisions, reduced risk and faster speed to market,” said Clark Robertson, assistant vice president, regional development, CSX.
CSX introduced the Select Site program in 2012 to better serve customers in their own backyards by adding rail transport access routes for some of the premier manufacturing properties in the eastern U.S. CSX partnered with The Austin Company, a nationally-known site selection firm, to screen candidate sites and assist communities with the application and certification process.
“Located in a pro-business community, Tuscola Industrial Rail Park offers industry one of the few location options in the country at the convergence of railroad, interstate and natural gas corridors,” said Jonathan Gemmen, senior location consultant, The Austin Company.
To receive CSX Select Site designation, the location must meet a rigorous list of criteria, including infrastructure and utility availability, environmental reviews, appropriate zoning and entitlement, air quality permitting, rail serviceability, proximity to highways or interstates and other attributes. Once certified, the sites are also featured on a user-friendly web portal featuring press releases, promotional materials and direct marketing to site selection professionals.
In addition to the Tuscola Industrial Rail Park, CSX has designated 10 other sites located across CSX’s 23-state service territory.
MTA secures $200 million of insurance protection
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has secured $200 million of insurance protection that will help pay for future repairs for damage to its infrastructure in the event of a storm featuring destructive storm surges similar to those experienced during Superstorm Sandy.