Executive committee meets to further discuss Norfolk light rail, future of HRT






One day after telling
City Council that light-rail construction costs will not exceed the latest
estimate of $328 million, Hampton Road Transit officials said that the price
could climb another $12 million, The Virginian-Pilot reports. During a
closed-door executive committee meeting, HRT consultants revealed that the
project, which was budgeted to cost $232 million when construction started,
could rise to about $340 million, a 47 percent increase, several board members
confirmed. They added that the projection is preliminary.

Burlington, Iowa, quiet zone goes into effect






After years of waiting,
Burlington, Iowa, residents were rewarded for their patience with a Christmas
gift, The Hawkeye reports. At midnight Dec. 24, the city became a train horn
quiet zone. Earlier this month, quiet
zone status was granted by the Federal Railroad Administration based on safety
modifications to downtown railroad crossings.

Mission, Texas, bridge under scrutiny






 

The City of Mission, Texas,
is lobbying the U.S State Department to retain a permit to build another
international bridge, mere weeks after the completion of the Rio Grande
Valley’s newest crossing, according to The
Monitor.

 There is no plan or funding to build another crossing, but Mission
city officials said they want to retain the 30-year-old permit because it
allows them to connect railroads on both sides of the border, something the
newly unveiled Anzalduas International Bridge does not.



 

Missouri city to seek grants for rail siding






Construction of a new
railroad siding in the west industrial park in Washington, Mo., could begin
late next spring or early summer if the city receives final approval of state
and federal grant funds it’s seeking, the Missourian reports. The city has
received the preliminary nod for more than $2 million in state economic
development grants to finance the "team track" rail siding at the end
of West Main Street, according to Dick Oldenburg, economic development director.

Union Pacific alters tunnels so double-stack trains can reach Reno






Union Pacific has
raised the roof on 15 of its tunnels over Donner Pass in the Sierra, allowing
double-stacked trains to cross the pass and go through Reno for the first time
on the way to Chicago, the Reno Gazette-Journal reports. When the recession
ebbs, more trains could be coming through Reno and Sparks. Double-stacked
trains have been routed through the longer and more difficult Feather River
Canyon north of Reno.

Port of Vancouver gets $3 million for rail loop






The Port of Vancouver,
Wash., will receive nearly $3 million in additional federal funds to help build
rail lines for its $137-million West Vancouver Freight Access project, the Portland
Business Journal reports. The new allocation comes with the help of U.S. Sen.
Patty Murray, D-Wash., and was included in the final version of the fiscal 2010
Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Caltrain construction, maintenance Dec. 27 – 30






Work on Caltrain’s Grade
Crossing Improvement Program, which will enhance safety at 25 grade crossings
in San Mateo County, continues. The schedule includes Maple Avenue, Chestnut
Street and Broadway, Redwood City, 8:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m., Dec. 28-30. Throughout
the project area, at least one lane of the impacted street will remain open. Flagmen
will direct traffic and pedestrians around the construction.

ICC grade crossing upgrades near Galesburg, Thomasboro






The Illinois Commerce
Commission has granted approval for the installation of automatic flashing
light signals and gates and highway approach grade improvements at the 160th
Street crossing of BNSF track located near Galesburg, Warren County. The
estimated cost to install the new automatic flashing light signals and gates is
$518,729.  The Grade Crossing
Protection Fund will pay 95 percent of the warning device installation costs,
not to exceed $492,793.  BNSF will
pay the remaining warning device installation costs, as well as all future
operating and maintenance costs. 

National Gateway addresses need for infrastructure improvements






According to government forecasts, freight volumes
in the United States will significantly increase by 2020. Unless major
transportation infrastructure improvements are made, this could lead to reduced
productivity resulting in job losses, higher prices for the goods we buy and
reduced worldwide demand for the goods we sell. The National Gateway – an $842-million
multi-state public-private infrastructure initiative – will help meet current
infrastructure needs and prepare the nation for this projected growth by
investing in surface transportation infrastructure improvements.

Don’t get on deep tunnel express, governor-elect






(The following opinion
piece by Alfred Doblin appeared in The Record in Northern New Jersey.) Last
week, Governor-elect Chris Christie met with The Record’s editorial board.
During the meeting, he was asked about transportation projects and the
possibility of a gas tax to help keep the Transportation Trust Fund solvent.



Minnesota high-speed route to Chicago may take year to map






Mapping the route of a
proposed high-speed passenger train between the Twin Cities and Chicago will
take a year or more, a Minnesota transportation official said, according to
local newspapers. Dan Krom, who made a presentation to Washington County commissioners,
said as many as eight routes are under study. One of them, which the
commissioners favor, would follow the existing Amtrak route, known in planning
circles as Red Rock, through southern Washington County and eastern Dakota
County.

Future of rail in Missouri could depend on Washington






Whether
you might take the train for holiday travel in the future might well depend on
a $200-million request for federal funds. Missouri Transportation Director Pete
Rahn says people are being drawn to rail travel for reasons other than saving
money on fuel, local media report.

Inver Grove Heights, Minn., gets grants to renovate bridge






The city of Inver Grove
Heights, Minn., has received a couple of mighty big gifts totaling $1.4 million
in grant money to convert a historic swing bridge into a 670-foot public pier
over the Mississippi River, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. And now, as
they’re getting ready to seek contractors to do the work, city officials say
they’re expecting that bids could come in 20 to 40 percent lower than
anticipated by engineers — thanks in part to highly competitive bidding during
tough economic times.

Dakota Southern owners consider rehabilitation for regional railroad line






The recent sale of the
Chamberlain, S.D.-based Dakota Southern Railway Company could result in lower
shipping prices for area producers served by the line, according to its new
owners, the Daily Republic reported. Mike Williams and Stan Patterson, who
purchased the line, met in Chamberlain with the Mitchell-Rapid City Regional
Rail Authority and laid out the broad strokes of a multi-year rebuilding plan.

First phase of Number 7 subway extension completed






New York City Mayor
Michael R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert C. Lieber
and Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman and CEO Jay H. Walder lauded
the completion of the first phase of the Number 7 subway extension at the
Hudson Yards in Manhattan. The second of two tunnel boring machines has reached
the southern wall of the 34th Street Station cavern after mining a combined
2,900 feet from their starting point at 26th Street under 11th Avenue. The
$2.1-billion project, funded by the City and managed by the MTA, will help
transform the Hudson Yards vicinity into a vibrant 24-hour neighborhood,
containing a mix of commercial, residential, retail, open space and
recreational uses.

Port of Seattle to acquire BNSF rail corridor






The Port of
Seattle Commission approved a Memorandum of Understanding with King County and
BNSF that will result in the Port’s acquisition and receipt by donation of the
42-mile Eastside rail corridor in King and Snohomish counties from the
railroad. Acquisition of the southern corridor for the public is one of the
largest and most significant in the history of the federal rail-banking
program.

IMT expands into new manufacturing facility






Iowa Mold Tooling Co. Inc.,
an Oshkosh Corporation company, has expanded its manufacturing operations into
McIntire, Iowa, by opening a new facility to handle its increased welding
activities. The plant opening created about 40 welding jobs. IMT has also hired
more welders at its main facility in Garner, Iowa.

HRT announces changes to light rail budget, schedule











Construction of Norfolk’s
starter light-rail line is running as much as 41 percent over its original
budget, and that has angry local leaders demanding an explanation from Hampton
Roads Transit, which manages the project, The Virginian-Pilot reports. HRT
officials said this week they need $38 million to $40 million more to finish
the 7.4-mile transit system, which is just over 50 percent complete.

TransLink 2010 budget maintains services levels, cuts costs






Vancouver’s
TransLink’s Board of Directors has approved a 2010 budget that will preserve
its roads and transit program. Revenue increases and cost cutting initiatives
have eliminated the structural deficit and TransLink will maintain services and
keep equipment and facilities in a state of good repair. Funding levels do not
allow TransLink to proceed with further expansion of the transportation system
in 2010.