FTA makes $178.6 million available for central Florida commuter rail line

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed the $178.6 million grant agreement that gives the green light for construction to begin on the 32-mile Orlando SunRail commuter rail project. He was joined by Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff, Florida Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica, Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla.), Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and other state and local officials at a ceremony held at the future site of the Florida Hospital Station.

This grant is the largest federal transit investment in Central Florida and covers half of the projected total cost of $357.2 million. FTA will pay out the Full Funding Grant Agreement through 2013.

The line will connect downtown Orlando to Orange, Seminole and Volusia Counties along existing railroad tracks. In addition to having 12 new stations, it will consist of seven locomotives and 14 passenger rail cars. Stops along the line will include Florida Hospital Station, Central Station and Orlando Health/Amtrak Station.

The line is considered the first phase of what is projected to be a 61-mile commuter rail line extending further north to Deland and further south to Osceola County, Fla.

CN to extend sidings on Northern Ontario main line

Canadian National plans to construct two more extended sidings on its Northern Ontario mainline this year, bringing its investments in seven long sidings in this corridor to more than C$30 million (US$31.55 million). Two additional extended sidings, costing a total of C$10 million (US$10.52 million), are planned for this mainline in 2012.

"The strategic investments in longer sidings will help to further increase our ability to process freight trains efficiently across this line, enhance network velocity and productivity and improve the safety of operations," said Keith Creel, executive vice-president and chief operating officer.

CN’s longer sidings program is creating sidings of 12,000 to 13,000 feet long from sidings that were previously 6,000 to 7,000 feet in length. It will allow CN to maximize the benefits of its longer-train operating plan in mainline corridors across its system.

CN’s Northern Ontario siding investments are part of the company’s C$1.7-billion (US$1.8-billion) 2011 capital expenditure program to maintain a safe and fluid railway network.

 

UTU tentative agreement on Georgia shortline

The United Transportation Union has reached a tentative agreement on behalf of train and engine workers employed by Fulton County Railway, a 20-mile-long OmniTrax-owned shortline on the west side of Atlanta, which operates over CSX-owned tracks.

"What we are trying to do is bring parity in wages, benefits and work rules to the thousands of employees in the shortline railroad industry, in addition to the many other protections offered by union membership," said UTU General Chairperson Doyle Turner, who heads the UTU’s shortline-railroad initiative.

The Fulton County Railway train and engine workers selected the UTU as their bargaining representative in August 2010, after meeting with UTU organizers Rich Ross and Mike Lewis.

Turner assisted by retired General Chairperson Warner Biedenharn Jr., led the lengthy negotiations, with National Mediation Board mediator John Livengood helping bring the sides together. The tentative agreement now goes out for member ratification.

 

Metrolink cancels two late-night trains

Metrolink will be canceling its 11 p.m. special late-night service on the Antelope Valley and Ventura County lines due to a low ridership of less than 140 people. Late-night trains to San Bernardino will continue as part of Metrolink’s regular schedule.

"It is not a prudent use of tax dollars or in the best interest of air quality to operate an empty train," said Metrolink Board Chair Richard Katz.

 

UTU wins protection for members on beer railway

The United Transportation Union has won a protection for employees of Manufacturers Railway, a 124-year-old subsidiary of brewer Anheuser-Busch, on behalf of 12 train and engine employees represented by the UTU and employed by the rail company.

In March, the carrier sought permission from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board to discontinue operations and asked the agency not to impose so-called labor protection for workers who would be put in unemployment lines as a result of the discontinuance.

The railroad’s case rested on a long-standing policy of the board and its predecessor, the Interstate Commerce Commission, not to impose labor protection when an entire system is abandoned.

The UTU Law Department told the STB that they believed Manufacturers had provided the agency with "misleading information" with regard to the intended cessation of operations.

Rather than abandon its system, the UTU told the STB that Manufacturers had said it intended to transfer those rail operations to a third party that would operate over the railway’s tracks and yard, which would remain under Manufacturers Railway and Anheuser-Busch ownership.

The STB agreed and ruled that so-called Oregon Short Line labor protection be granted as a condition of the discontinuance of operations by Manufacturers Railway.

The protection provides for six years of income protection for all adversely affected employees of Manufacturers Railway.

 

Thanasriphakdeekun joins TranSystems

Chaiyong Thanasriphakdeekun has joined TranSystems as a consultant team leader and practice area leader for logistics network analysis in the firm’s management and supply chain consulting practice team.

Thanasriphakdeekun brings more than 12-years experience in the supply chain industry, specializing in logistics network strategy development, cross-dock/by-pass/3PL strategies, routing optimization, expert user of several logistics optimization programs and warehouse/manufacturing operations planning.

Thanasriphakdeekun will lead a growing team of supply chain professionals across multiple industries and in various roles by optimizing companies’ network and supply chain strategy. He has worked extensively with Fortune-500 clients such as large-scale, national retailers, grocers, beverage distributers, electronics retailers and steel manufacturing companies.

 

UP’s past CEO dies at age 89

As written by Railway Age:

John Kenefick, who as president, chairman and CEO of Union Pacific led the railroad triumphantly through the challenging years prior to and just after passage of the Staggers Rail Act of 1980, died July 15 at the age of 89. He was president from 1971 to 1983 when he was named chairman and CEO.

An industry giant, he guided the railroad with even temperament through stifling regulation and the threat of nationalization into a new age of health and competitive strength," said UP in an obituary posted on its website.

Chairman Jim Young commented: "With great foresight, he strengthened our railroad and guided it through some of the most challenging times in our history. It is with great pride that we celebrate his memory and innumerable contributions to our company and community."

Kenefick’s tenure at UP saw the railroad increase its annual revenue from $1 billion to $8 billion and double its size with the 1982 Missouri Pacific and Western Pacific mergers. Kenefick supported financing in 1984 for "Project Yellow," a connector line with the Chicago & North Western that gave UP access to Wyoming’s Powder River Basin coal mines. His guidance paved the way for mergers with the Chicago & North Western and the Missouri-Kansas-Texas, shortening UP’s route from Kansas City to Fort Worth and on to the Gulf.

Born Dec. 26, 1921, in Buffalo, New York, the son of an attorney, Kenefick attended Princeton University, concentrating his studies on mechanical engineering as World War II shortened his academic timeline. Graduating in 1943, he maintained a strong allegiance to the institution, acting later in life as a trustee emeritus and clerk of the board. Although he settled in the Midwestern town of Omaha, Neb., his license plate "P1943" illustrated the lifelong connection he felt to Princeton.

Following graduation, Kenefick served three years in the Navy during World War II, primarily in the Pacific, before beginning his railroad career with the New York Central as a Mechanical Department apprentice, he held the post a short six months before heading to Omaha in 1947 to join Union Pacific as a locomotive draftsman.

The westward move precipitated Kenefick’s rapid through the industry’s ranks. Making a concerted effort to learn firsthand how a railroad operates, he held assignments in various departments with Union Pacific, Denver & Rio Grande Western and, again, the New York Central before returning to the Union Pacific in 1968 as vice president-operations. He was promoted to executive vice president in 1969 and was elected chief executive officer of the transportation division in 1970.

Kenefick retired after 40 yeas of service.

 

 

CTA board OKs Loop Renewal Track contract

The Chicago Transit Board approved a $33.8 million contract to begin work on the second half of the Loop Track Renewal project. The project will involve the replacement of deteriorated track and rail ties along the Wells and Van Buren elevated tracks as well as track components that were installed in the mid-1980s and prevent the creation of new slow zones along the elevated line.

"We are continuing to seek out the few opportunities there are for state and federal funding. Unfortunately, improving the CTA system for riders is something that will always be in process, as the needs are many and funding is tight," said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Terry Peterson.

Portions of the Loop-elevated system that will undergo renewal work in this next phase include the track and structure along Wells and Van Buren streets, the Hubbard Curve and the Tower 18 and Tower 12 junctions. The project will also include replacement of other rail system components including foot walks, traction power and signal cabling, signal panels, switch machines and rail lubricators.

Ragnar Benson Construction, LLC, was awarded the contract through a competitive bid process. Funding for the Loop Track Renewal project is provided by a state grant through the Regional Transportation Authority. Work is expected to begin in late 2011 and be completed in late 2012.

CTA selects contractor for Purple Line viaduct projects

The Chicago Transit Board selected a contractor to replace three aging viaducts along the line at Greenleaf, Dempster and Grove Streets in Evanston.

The project involves replacing the concrete viaducts with new steel structures, as well as new abutments, retaining walls, foundations and new waterproofing and drainage systems. The project also includes rail tie replacement, new landscaping and lighting enhancements under the bridges.

"Repairing the viaducts will allow us to remove the slow zones and speed travel for customers. The new structures also will provide a safer and more attractive environment for the community," said CTA President Forrest
Claypool.

Kiewit Infrastructure was selected as the contractor for the $10.3 million contract through a competitive bidding process. Funding for the project is provided by an Illinois Department of Transportation grant through the Regional Transportation Authority.

 

 

 

 

Caltrain construction and maintenance for July 16-22

Caltrain construction and maintenance will begin July 16 at multiple station locations. The $147 million San Bruno Grade Separation project, beginning July 16, will elevate the Caltrain tracks above three existing at-grade street crossings at San Bruno, San Mateo and Angus avenues in California. A new-elevated Caltrain station will also be constructed between San Bruno and San Mateo avenues.

Day work on the project will include pavement work along Huntington Avenue, preparation for signal system upgrades the following weekend, track work, excavation, potholing, drainage improvements at the temporary station, construction of retaining walls for the temporary station, and sanitary sewer and utility relocations.

Night work on the project will include signal system upgrades, excavation, drainage improvements for the shoofly, construction of retaining walls for the temporary station, preparation for signal system improvements the following weekend and relocation and installation of traffic signals at San Mateo Avenue, as well as pedestrian and traffic gates on San Bruno and Angus avenues and at the San Mateo and Huntington avenues intersection. A Caltrain test train will run July 22 through July 25 between the South San Francisco and Millbrae stations to evaluate the operational quality of the upgrade signal system.

Work on the Santa Clara Station Improvement project in Santa Clara, Calif., will begin July 18. It will add a new wider, longer center-boarding platform and extend the southern platform 150 feet.

The work will include continued construction on the pedestrian underpass connecting the north- and southbound platforms, which will allow two trains to pass through the station at the same time and improve safety for pedestrians in the station.

Caltrain’s Station Security Improvements project at the San Francisco station will begin July 18 when crews will saw cut concrete and install bollards there. These improvements are part of a project to enhance security at three Caltrain stations.

Crews will continue building bridge support structures and backfilling areas along the tracks by Jerrold Avenue and Rankin Street in San Francisco on July 18 as well.

Caltrain will continue retrofitting four rail bridges for the San Mateo Bridges Rehabilitation project in San Mateo, Calif., July 18. The project includes improvements to the bridges that cross Poplar, Santa Inez, Monte Diablo and Tilton avenues.

Crews will continue drilling foundation piles under the bridges and continue installing columns for the bridges and building temporary support structures.

The San Jose Diridon Station Improvements project will begin July 16. Track construction will take place on July 18. The signal system upgrades that will be constructed at both ends of the San Jose Diridon terminal will improve train operations by allowing quicker train movement in and out of the terminal.

Caltrain will also perform routine maintenance at several locations during the week of July 25.

 

Nowak joins TranSystems

William R. Nowak has joined TranSystems to lead the industrial engineering/time study area for the firm’s management and supply chain consulting group.

Nowak brings more than 15 years of experience in the supply chain industry, specializing in classical industrial engineering, data analysis/profiling, material flow/process analysis, materials handling and storage equipment planning, logistics network optimization, labor rate estimating and standard
development, space and layout planning, dedicated transportation design and WMS/RFID technology selection.

"Will’s experience in working in all facets of the manufacturing, distribution and retail process domestically and overseas is a great asset for us and our clients," said Scott Pribula, president of the MSCC line of business for TranSystems.

Nowak will manage projects such as logistics optimization, distribution center layout, operations and consolidation, and transportation system re-engineering, using a multitude of specialized software skills. He has worked with clients such as Tandy Brands, FedEx and other national retailers.

 

Amtrak Empire Builder service to resume

Amtrak is restoring daily Empire Builder service for the full route between Chicago and Seattle/Portland, effective next week, following repairs made by the BNSF to tracks closed due to recent flooding in North Dakota.

Starting with the eastbound departures of Train 8 from Seattle and Train 28 from Portland, Ore., on Sunday, July 17, the Amtrak Empire Builder will return service to missed stops in eastern Montana, North Dakota and western Minnesota. The westbound Amtrak Empire Builder Trains 7/27 will resume service to the full route effective with the departure from Chicago on Monday, July 18.

However, the station and the boarding platform at Minot, N.D., were both damaged in the flooding and remain closed. Amtrak service at Minot cannot resume until repairs are made sometime next month.

"We appreciate the patience of our customers and the work being done by Amtrak and BNSF employees to restore service," said Daryl Pesce, the Chicago-based Amtrak general superintendent.

Amtrak safety video receives two awards

An Amtrak video depicting the importance of railroad safety has been recognized by two independent awards programs for creative excellence. The film, Cheating Death, received two Silver Communicator Awards from The International Academy of Visual Arts and two Bronze Telly Awards in the categories of Public Safety and Video Editing.

The film, designed to warn teen drivers of the dangers and consequences of failing to obey highway-rail grade-crossing signals was developed in response to several grade-crossing deaths of teenagers in Lakeland, Fla. It is produced in a style that captures the attention of a younger audience by incorporating fast paced editing techniques, music, re-enactments, actual news footage and natural sound to deliver the key messaging. The film includes interviews with police, medical professionals and family members of teenagers who died as a result of not obeying crossing signals. At 12 minutes in length, the film is a grim reminder of the importance of railroad safety.

Cheating Death will be used as a training tool both internally for Amtrak personnel and externally for state driver’s education associations, school groups, civic organizations and transit agencies. In addition, more than 1,100 copies of the film have been distributed to Operation Lifesaver, a national organization dedicated to preventing railroad-related deaths and injuries.

The Telly Awards are judged by a panel of more than 500 industry leaders and this year’s winners were selected from a pool of nearly 11,000 entries.

The Communicator Awards is the leading international awards program honoring the best in advertising, corporate communications, public relations and identity work for print, video, interactive audio.

Cheating Death was produced by the Amtrak Police Department, Donnabrant Productions and DogHouse Media.

Ottawa City Council endorses LRT project

Ottawa City Council unanimously voted on July 14, to advance the Ottawa Light Rail Transit project. The approved report contains an updated cost estimate, within the budget of $2.1 billion, a new design plan and a clear and affordable path for OLRT implementation.

"The vote today signals this Council’s strong support for our improved plan to build an efficient, functional and affordable light rail system for our riders," said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson." The LRT will ease congestion on our downtown streets, reinvigorate our city core, create opportunities for smart development and lay the foundation for future expansion of our transit network."

The revised Queen Street alignment outlined in the report improves ridership experience, brings the tunnel closer to the surface, reduces risk and improves cost certainty for construction. The report also recommends a Design-Build-Finance-Maintain procurement approach that will secure a fixed price contract to construct and maintain the LRT system from Tunney’s Pasture in the west to Blair Road in the east. This 12.5km, 13 station LRT system includes a tunnel through the downtown core to address the transit bottleneck that slows service and challenges the reliability of the system today.

"This report is the result of extensive work done over the last few months to deliver on the accelerated timeline and cost challenge from the Mayor and Council," said City Manager, Kent Kirkpatrick. "Staff was directed to initiate a more detailed review of the capital and operating budgets for providing public transit in Ottawa. As a result, the engineering and project teams have worked very hard rethinking assumptions and defining a better light rail system that can be built within the approved budget."

The City of Ottawa commenced its request for qualifications process to identify firms with a proven track record in delivering successful LRT solutions to cities around the globe.

CSX Increases 2011 Capital Investment to $2.2 billion

The CSX Board of Directors authorized an increase in 2011 capital investment for certain asset purchases, primarily railcars, to meet the growing near and long-term demand for export coal. As a result, the company now expects to make 2011 capital investments of $2.2 billion, up from the previously decided $2 billion.

The increase is consistent with CSX’s previously announced intention to reinvest an average of 18 percent of its revenues back into its business through 2015. It also supports the company’s near- and long-term financial guidance.

The Board of Directors also approved a $0.12 per share quarterly dividend on the company’s common stock. The dividend is payable on Sept. 15, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Aug. 31, 2011.

 

Rail’s role in recovery includes record investments, job hires

Business and labor leaders, government officials and rail industry employees around the country are meeting on Capitol Hill for Railroad Day on the Hill in support of policies that enable the freight rail industry to create jobs, continue record infrastructure investments, keep U.S. businesses globally competitive and aid America’s economy recovery.

"Americans whose livelihoods depend on a healthy rail industry want Congress to know that freight rail is working for our country and carrying the load so taxpayers don’t have to," said Association of American Railroads’ President and CEO Edward Hamberger

Rail advocates support investment incentives such as the Section 45G tax credit, which aids small local shortline railroads and the Section 130 program, which provides dedicated funds to states for grade crossing safety projects. Participants oppose proposals to increase the size and weight of trucks on our nation’s highways, which would cause significant damage to our nation’s highway infrastructure and divert traffic away from environmentally friendly-freight railroads.

"In addition to 175,000 rail industry jobs, our nation’s freight railroads directly support over 150,000 manufacturing jobs in the railway supply industry," said Tom Simpson, president of the Railway Supply Institute.

Participants in the annual event include the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, Association of American Railroads, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association Inc., Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association, Railway Supply Institute, Railway Systems Suppliers Inc., Railway Tie Association, Transportation Communications International Union, Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association, United Transportation Union and other rail industry groups.

 

NJ Transit adopts FY 2012 budgets, advances transit center

NJ Transit Board of Directors approved the Fiscal Year 2012 $1.895 billion operating budget, as well as a $1.16 billion capital program which began July 1.

More than half of the revenue in the FY12 operating budget comes from $881 million in fares with the balance from a combination of $104.3 million in commercial revenues, $309.4 million in state operating assistance and $600.2 million in state and federal reimbursements.

The operating budget reflects an increase in state operating assistance of $33.2 million, which will enable NJ Transit to hold fares stable this fiscal year.

NJ Transit also faced a budget gap of approximately $170 million for FY12, caused primarily by increased operating costs for fuel, maintenance and contractual obligations.

To address this gap the company maintained its policy of proposed fiscal austerity and operating efficiency and was able to reduce the original growth estimate to $85 million, an increase in expenses of less than 0.5 percent compared to FY11 when adjusted for mandatory cost drivers.

The FY12 capital program includes $64 million for investment in systemwide improvements. Rail state-of-good-repair projects will be supported by $217 million in the capital program, including $37 million to replace track and ties and inspect and replace bridges. A total of $41 million will advance electric traction and signal improvements, and $5 million will fund ongoing locomotive reliability programs.

In other news, a project that will create a direct link between NJ Transit’s River Line light rail and Atlantic City Rail Line service advanced as the NJ Transit Board of Directors approved construction of the second and final phase of the $32 million Pennsauken Transit Center.

The board authorized a $13.8 million contract with Terminal Construction Corporation of Wood-Ridge, NJ, for construction of Phase 2 including platforms, a parking lot, drainage improvements and customer amenities.

As part of Phase two, two 300-foot-long, high-level platforms will be built on either side of the elevated ACRL tracks, with a 100-foot canopy on each platform.

Construction of the overall project is expected to be completed in late 2012 and open for service in early 2013.

WMATA releases major trackwork calendar

Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority released a major trackwork calendar that details its construction plans through this fiscal year. The calendar establishes the accelerated work plan to address National Transportation Safety Board recommendations and to get projects done quickly and safely.

The calendar shows the date, affected stations, busing plan and a description of the work to be performed.

WMATA’s new approach to major trackwork calls for replacing trains with buses to contain the weekend inconvenience associated with out-of-service tracks.

By isolating work zones, WMATA can operate near-normal weekend service levels elsewhere on a line where major trackwork is taking place.

Using the new approach to trackwork will enable WMATA to complete NTSB-recommended track circuit replacement on the Red Line about 18 months sooner as opposed to late 2013 if the work only took place during non-revenue hours.

WMATA will still use single tracking to perform trackwork for smaller projects on weekends and during midday and late night hours on weekdays. However, single tracking will not be planned on lines where buses are replacing trains.

To view full calendar, visit wmata.com/trackwork.

 

FTA makes $47.6 million available for Atlanta streetcar

Work can begin on the Atlanta Streetcar project, which was awarded $47.6 million from the Federal Transit Administration’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery 2 program in October 2010.

The electric streetcar will run 2.6 miles through the heart of Atlanta’s business, tourism and convention corridor. Its planned 12 stops will provide access to residential, cultural, educational and historic centers.

"Atlantans will be able to get to work, students will be able to get to the university and patients will be able to get medical care without having to spend a dime on gas," said FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff.

The streetcar will connect with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority rail system at Peachtree Center and with numerous area bus routes. It will also reconnect the eastern and western sections of downtown. Service is scheduled to begin in 2013.

 

PennDOT awards Baker CM/CI contract on seven separate projects

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 8-0 awarded Michael Baker Jr., Inc., an engineering unit of Michael Baker Corporation, a $2.2 million construction management support and construction inspection contract for seven separate construction projects with a combined value of $22 million in Lancaster County, Pa.

The project is expected to last for three years starting in June 2011 and will include bridge replacements, pavement overlays and roadway realignments. Some challenges of this project will be the closing of two railroad crossings in the Amtrak Keystone Corridor.

"We are very thankful to PennDOT District 8-0 for their selection of our team," said Pat Gardiner, P.E., Harrisburg construction services manager. "Baker is fortunate to be able to provide the experienced staff that gives the District confidence in our services."