Search Results for: track structure

Caltrain recommends new operator to run train system

Caltrain management has negotiated a proposed contract with TransitAmerica Services Inc. of St. Joseph, Mo., to operate the Peninsula commuter rail system and that it will recommend the contract for approval to the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board at its September 1 meeting.

The recommendation is based on a competitive process that extended more
than 15 months and included detailed and expert evaluation of five
proposals from top rail management firms.

Caltrain:

California’s Caltrain said an analysis of preliminary data has indicated that the Peninsula’s rail corridor can accommodate integrated high-speed rail and Caltrain service largely through modernizing and then sharing the corridor’s existing track infrastructure in most areas.

The analysis supports a concept proposed by U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, State Senator Joe Simitian and State Assemblyman Richard Gordon that calls for the project to minimize community impacts and considerably reduce the project’s cost by remaining substantially within the existing Caltrain right-of-way.

LTK Engineering Services to assessed the capacity of the corridor using a computer model to simulate rail operations. The analysis demonstrates that electrification of the corridor and installation of an advanced signaling system could provide sufficient track capacity to feasibly operate six electric Caltrain trains and two high-speed trains per hour.

The addition of a seven-to-eight-mile four-track section near the middle of the rail line would provide a set of passing tracks and expand capacity even further to accommodate these trains.

To date, design alternatives for the project have consisted of fully grade-separated, four-track options that span most of the corridor’s length.

The Caltrain analysis indicates that a much-less intrusive, more cost-effective alternative is sufficiently valid to justify additional study.

Compared to previous alternatives, the blended approach would accommodate high-speed rail at a lower cost by primarily utilizing Caltrain’s existing right-of-way and would connect to the Downtown Rail Extension Project, providing Caltrain and high-speed trains with access to the Transbay Transit Center, which is currently under construction in downtown San Francisco.

"We’re encouraged," said Caltrain Executive Director Mike Scanlon. "More analysis is needed but this operational concept could help deliver a state-of-the-art rail system in a way that is cost effective and minimizes community impacts."

Moving forward, other considerations remain unresolved, including a precise definition of the project’s infrastructure needs including the location and design of the potential four-track section and a better understanding of the project’s total cost. The approach will also need to be adopted by the California High-Speed Rail Authority, which is currently reviewing the analysis.

In the coming weeks, Caltrain plans to engage community stakeholders in a public process that includes opportunities to review and discuss the results and provide feedback that will help guide future analysis.

San Mateo County Supervisor Adrienne Tissier welcomed the results. "If we’re going to realize all of the benefits of modernizing the Caltrain corridor, we’re going to need to explore creative solutions," said Tissier, who also chairs the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and serves on the Caltrain Board of Directors. "These findings are extremely encouraging because they demonstrate that there is a path forward and an approach that could finally help build some regional consensus."

Rail line at Toledo port dedicated

Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority President and CEO Paul Toth, Midwest Terminals of Toledo and area officials dedicated the Port Authority-owned rail line currently under construction at Ironville Terminal on August 15. This phase of construction was made possible by $5 million in Jobs Ready Sites Grant Funding. Commemorative rail spikes were pounded into the rail line by the officials in honor of the dedication. The total public/private investment into Ironville Terminal will be more than $18 million when the infrastructure projects are complete in 2014.

The Port Authority and Midwest Terminals also shared their joint future plans for Ironville which include three phases of development focused on using the 71 acres of waterfront property for material delivery and handling to support a new manufacturing base located on the 110 acre balance of the property. The flexible waterfront property at Ironville will also have the ability to receive bulk materials and will support and receive goods for other manufacturing operations throughout the region.

Since 2008, the Port Authority has sought funding for the redevelopment of Ironville. In addition to the $5 million JRS Grant Funding, Ironville Terminal also benefits from $7.4 million in grant funding via a State of Ohio Logistics and Distribution Stimulus grant and a $3.1 million award from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration is currently pending. The awards are unique as several local entities partnered on each application to ensure the region had the best chance in receiving each award.

"The development of Ironville Terminal has received a tremendous amount of support, due mostly to the incredible potential this property has for commerce and job development," said Toth. "This public/private partnership is possible not only due to the vast amounts of grant funding but specifically to our private partners, Midwest Terminals of Toledo, who will invest nearly $5 million into the development of this property when complete. Without this strong partnership, we would not be able to create these future jobs for our community or this new development opportunity for our region."

Ironville Terminal is currently in Phase One – Rail Installation. Approximately 7,200 linear feet of rail and eight switches will be installed when Phase One is complete later this year or early 2012. The Port Authority owned rail line connects with the nearby Norfolk Southern rail line.
 
Phase Two includes improvements of the river channel and shoreline to prepare a deep water marine dock to accommodate barges and lake trading and ocean vessels.

Phase Three plans include the installation of a multi-modal delivery system. The conveyor and material transfer systems creates efficiencies through rapid freight loading and unloading and is capable of handling any dry bulk material. Self-unloading ships will discharge into a 500 cubic yard hopper, which will feed the conveying system. The hopper discharge will also be capable of loading rail cars on the outer loop track.

Houston Metro kicks off Southeast Line extension

A crowd of hard-hatted, safety-vested notables endured withering heat to watch construction crews complete an 80-foot bed for light-rail track, the first Houston has seen in 10 years. The steel rail near Paige and Rusk, east of downtown, will be part of the 6.6-mile Southeast (Purple) Line. The line, starting near the new Dynamo Stadium will run to Palm Center near the University of Houston Central Campus and is expected to be open in mid-2014.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) joined other officials in support of METRO public transit and cited light-rail for improved infrastructure and many jobs it brings to the city.

METRO Board Chairman Gilbert Garcia said he was delighted with the progress, "This is an exciting moment and an exciting day for the community and certainly all of us at METRO. It’s been more than 10 years since we laid concrete for rail. We’re happy to be here today to tell everyone light rail is coming to Houston."

The last time METRO poured concrete for new light-rail track was for the Main Street Red Line in September 2001.

Sen. Harkin announces $750,000 to repair damaged railroads in Iowa

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) said that the state of Iowa will receive $773,353 in grants for the repair and rehabilitation of flood damaged railroad infrastructure. The funds come from the Iowa Department of Transportation through the Flood Damage Restoration for the Iowa River Railroad Program.

Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds transportation initiatives.



The railroad repairs include debris removal, track regulation, bridge reconstruction, aligning and surfacing caused by flood damage. The funds will be used to reimburse shortline and regional rails in the following counties: Adair, Cass, Dallas, Des Moines, Hardin, Iowa, Jasper, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Pottawattamie and Poweshiek.



"Three years ago, devastating floods hit Iowa causing destruction across our state, including severe damage to our railway system," said Harkin. "These railroads are crucial to the safe and efficient movement of goods between Iowa communities and to places outside of our state, as well as critical to growing our economy."

Alaska Railroad schedules two events to highlight Tanana River Bridge Construction

Events that showcase the Tanana River bridge project have been scheduled as the
Alaska Railroad prepares for construction to begin in Salcha, Alaska.

Public Open House: August 23 – Salcha School, 8530 Richardson Highway.
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a presentation at 6:30 p.m. (Note: Salcha residents located next to the construction site have also been invited to an informational gathering on August 22. This meeting is designed specifically for neighboring property owners and is not a public event.)

Ground-breaking Ceremony: September 28 – Beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the bridge construction staging area in Salcha. Access to and space at the staging area is limited and vans will be on-hand to shuttle local dignitaries to the site.

The bridge is the first phase of the larger Northern Rail Extension project that will eventually expand railroad track infrastructure from North Pole / Eielson 80 miles southeast to Delta Junction. Expected to be a three-year effort, NRE Phase One will construct a new bridge across the river and an associated levee near Salcha, Alaska. The Environmental Impact Statement was completed in 2010.

The August open house will offer nearby residents and the interested public a project update to include construction phasing, traffic control, community impacts and EIS mitigation measures. The presentation will provide an overview of these topics, however, attendees can come at any time during the open house to review displays and ask questions. Members of the project team will be on-hand to answer questions and explain phases and stages of the project.

The ground-breaking ceremony will feature members of Alaska’s congressional delegation, governor’s office, local community dignitaries and railroad executives. The event will celebrate the start of the long-anticipated rail extension, which is expected to boost local and state economies with millions of dollars spent on local equipment, materials, supplies and lodging. More than 200 construction jobs are projected during the summer months and about two dozen year-round.

Schumer: Get New York rail projects rolling

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer sent a personal letter to the leaders of CSX, Amtrak, the New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Railway Administration, urging them to work together and reach the necessary agreements to move forward with rail projects across the state.

From Fiscal Year 2009 and 2010 and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, Senator Schumer has helped New York secure $250 million in rail funding, but only $6.5 million has been obligated for specific projects.

Senator Schumer’s letter:

Dear Administrator Szabo, Commissioner McDonald, Mr. Boardman and Chairman Ward:

I write to underscore the critical need for timely and effective allocation and utilization of the funding for high-speed rail projects in upstate New York awarded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. I appreciate the effort each of your organizations has put into reaching an agreement that will allow the projects that define New York’s overall effort to move forward and I urge you to work quickly to finalize those agreements so that work can begin on these important projects.

Specifically, I urge the Federal Rail Administration, New York State Department of Transportation, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) and CSX Corporation to quickly finalize the necessary agreements and allow New York to utilize the nearly $240 million awarded to rail projects in Upstate New York that remains to be obligated. This funding is critical for putting hundreds of New Yorkers to work making desperately needed improvements to New York State’s rail infrastructure – improvements that will create the infrastructure needed to build a vibrant economy for decades to come – and delaying the work will only put the funds at risk.

There have been several attempts in Congress to rescind transportation infrastructure funding which has not yet been obligated, including a recently passed House of Representatives Energy and Water Appropriations bill which would rescind unobligated money for ARRA-funded rail projects. This is a short-sighted and mistaken policy that will eat our seed corn, rather than wisely investing in projects that will both put people to work in the short term – when unemployment remains unacceptably high – and lay the foundations of an economy capable of competing and creating jobs in the global marketplace. I will work to keep this provision from being included in the final appropriations bill and will fight against any other efforts to rescind money awarded to New York. However, the best way to prevent high-speed rail funding from the threat of rescission is to finalize the necessary agreements so that the money can be obligated and put to its intended use, and I strongly urge you to do just that.

I worked very hard with my colleagues from the New York State congressional delegation to secure funding for the Empire Corridor, which runs from Niagara Falls to Albany, and south to New York City. Rail passage on the corridor, as it currently exists, is constrained by a bottleneck from Schenectady to Albany that adds significantly to trip times. A portion of the ARRA award totaling more than $87 million will add a second track from Schenectady to Albany, thus eliminating the backlog. This project is of the utmost importance in improving rail travel in New York State, and we cannot afford to waste any time in completing it.

In addition to the second track project between Albany and Schenectady, many other projects in New York State will benefit from the $240 million in ARRA funding that has yet to be obligated. These include much needed track improvements in the Rochester area and important grade crossing and signal improvements across the. All of this work is critical to ensuring faster, safer and more efficient trips for passengers.

I understand that FRA, NYSDOT, Amtrak and CSX are working together to reach an agreement on how these rail projects and subsequent operations will serviced, maintained and financed. I ask that all parties promptly conclude these discussions so as to allow funding to be obligated and the projects to commence. The operating agreements between NYSDOT and Amtrak are of particular importance and will determine how NYSDOT and Amtrak will divide responsibility for maintenance and operating costs. I urge NYSDOT and Amtrak to continue working together to find an agreement through which Amtrak takes responsibility for some portion of the maintenance and operations of the tracks.

Thank you for your continued attention to this important matter. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact my Washington, DC office at 202-224-6542.

Sincerely,
Senator Charles E. Schumer

Parsons Brinkerhoff-led joint venture named GEC for Maryland transit program

PB/RK&K, a joint venture of Parsons Brinckerhoff and RK&K in association with AECOM, has been selected to serve the Maryland Transit Administration as an on-call general engineering consultant for statewide transportation projects.

Under its contract PB/RK&K will provide project management, project controls, environmental, structural, tunneling, rolling stock and train signal engineering services during the preliminary and final design phase of any open-ended transportation project throughout the state. In addition, PB/RK&K will perform the associated safety and security and quality assurance functions for these projects.

PB/RK&K’s principal assignment is the design of the proposed Red Line, a 14-mile light-rail system that would extend from Woodlawn in Baltimore County into Baltimore City, through Edmondson Village, West Baltimore, downtown Baltimore, Inner Harbor East, Fells Point and terminate at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Campus. This alignment includes 15 surface stations, five underground stations, one mile of aerial structure and approximately four miles of dual-track tunnel.

Final design is expected to be completed by 2016.

 

NuStar, EOG Resources enter agreement to build Louisiana rail offloading facility

NuStar Logistics, EOG Resources Rail Yard (Louisiana) LLC and EOG Resources Marketing, Inc., have entered into a definitive agreement to jointly develop, build and own a 70,000-barrel-per-day unit train offloading facility at NuStar’s crude oil terminal in St. James, La. The project will facilitate movement and storage of crude oil production from the Bakken, Eagle Ford and other developing shale plays in the United States.

NuStar’s 8-million-barrel terminal is one of the largest in the growing St. James crude oil hub and has interconnectivity to major crude infrastructure including major onshore and offshore pipeline systems, as well as marine, truck and rail access. The new project will include the addition of new rail and unit train unloading facilities. Two new storage tanks with a combined 360,000 barrels of capacity will also be built in conjunction with the project. The new facility will be equipped to receive at least one 70,000-barrel train per day and will have enough track and other infrastructure to stage an additional train to await offloading. The rail project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2012 and the tanks are expected to be completed and in service in May 2012.

"This project will give our customers much greater ability to move and store production from very significant crude discoveries throughout the U.S.," said Curt Anastasio, president and CEO of NuStar. "Our St. James terminal is ideally situated in a major crude oil hub and has access to all modes of transportation to effectively get the crude to any number of markets. And given EOG’s vast resources and leadership in our industry, they are the ideal partner for us in this effort."

"We are pleased to be a partner in the new St. James unloading facility that will provide diverse market opportunities for our crude. Given the price differentials that exist within the marketplace today, we view this project as an important part of our crude-by-rail strategy," said Mark Papa, chairman and CEO, EOG Resources, Inc.

Houston Metro to begin bridge work for LRT project

Work will begin on Houston Metro’s North Main Street bridge on Aug. 8 as part of the North Line light-rail project.

"We are configuring two major-bridge structures for the light-rail expansion on the new North Line," said David Couch, Metro senior vice president for Capital programs.

The closure between Naylor and Franklin streets allows crews to begin rebuilding the northern section of the Main Street bridge for light-rail use. Metro will also construct the southern part of the bridge, over the Union Pacific tracks.

 

MoDOT, UP, Amtrak, FRA sign agreement for second Bridge over Osage River

The Missouri Department of Transportation, Union Pacific, Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration have signed a service agreement that will allow work to begin on Missouri’s first rail infrastructure project funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The signing follows negotiations between Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon’s office, MoDOT, Union Pacific and several agencies including the FRA.

"This is a project that will alleviate congestion along a vital trade and passenger transportation artery," Gov. Nixon said.

The $28.3 million project consists of the construction of a second rail bridge over the Osage River that will eliminate the last single track portion between Jefferson City and St. Louis, Mo. It will also remove the last single-track bottleneck to cause delays for freight and Amtrak trains on the eastern segment of the St. Louis to Kansas City, Mo., corridor.

MoDOT anticipates beginning construction in the fall, but prolonged flooding could push the start date into the spring.

UP and MoDOT have agreed to further study the St. Louis to Kansas City rail corridor as funding becomes available.

 

Washington State, BNSF sign agreement, rail projects to move ahead

An agreement signed by the Washington State Department of Transportation and BNSF clears the way for work to begin on rail upgrades that will improve Amtrak Cascades service between Seattle and Portland.

The state can begin initial work this fall using some of the $781 million in federal grants awarded to Washington in the past two years. This money is part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act high-speed-rail grants administered by the Federal Railroad Administration.

The ARRA money will be used to purchase new locomotives and passenger coaches, as well as build bypass tracks and make upgrades to existing tracks shared by Amtrak and BNSF. Two Amtrak Cascades daily roundtrips between Seattle and Portland will be added as well.

The first rail-improvement project will occur in Everett, where two new tracks will be built for freight trains entering the rail terminal, taking them out of the way of oncoming passenger trains.

This agreement sets up a clear contractual relationship between WSDOT and BNSF. As such, it outlines mutually agreed upon requirements and performance measures, including project schedules and budgets, contracting methods, procurement and purchasing processes and budget and billing procedures, among other things.

"This is an important step towards improving the trackage infrastructure to help meet current and future demands for both passenger and freight rail service," said BNSF Chairman and CEO Matt Rose.

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.

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.

 

Massachusetts awarded $72.8 million to cut travel times on Vermonter

Travel time on Amtrak’s Vermonter line will be cut by nearly 30 minutes through a $72.8 million federal grant to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The project will restore a rail line, improving 50 miles of track and infrastructure on a direct route from Springfield to East Northfield, Mass., along the Connecticut River Valley.

"Coupled with previous federal investments along the Vermonter line, these improvements will bring almost a one hour reduction in travel time for passengers traveling in Vermont and Massachusetts," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The Vermonter line operates between St. Albans, Vt., and Washington, D.C. and had a 16 percent ridership increase in 2010. Progress on the service began last year with a $50 million grant to the Vermont Agency of Transportation, improving 190 miles of track between St. Albans and Vernon, shaving 30 minutes off of travel time within Vermont. Long-term, the investments in Vermont and Massachusetts will also increase reliability and for future expansion of service in Montreal, Quebec.

U of I to test high-speed rail components

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is conducting a $3.3 million study on the performance of certain track components of shared passenger and heavy-axle-load corridors to make them both safer and more efficient.

The research to improve concrete crossties and fastening systems will be undertaken by the university’s Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC), part of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Illinois. It is sponsored by the Federal Railroad Administration, which contributed approximately $2.4 million to perform the research. Industry partners will contribute the remaining $900,000.

"These joint corridors present unique challenges in terms of the design and maintenance of infrastructure. This research project is aimed at improving concrete tie and fastener design in order to increase safety and reliability and lower their life cycle cost," said CEE faculty member J. Riley Edwards, who is leading the study.

During the two-and-a-half-year study, researchers will conduct laboratory and field testing to compile empirically gathered performance data. Improved understanding of the tie and fastening system is expected to facilitate the development of performance requirements and design recommendations for concrete ties and fastening systems in the United States, specifically those used in joint passenger-freight railway infrastructure. They will also develop a centralized knowledge and document depository about concrete ties and fastening systems.

In addition to Edwards, the research team includes CEE professors Bassem Andrawes, Daniel Kuchma and David Lange and Research Engineer Marcus Dersch, a CEE alumnus.

The industry partners involved in the project include: Amtrak, BNSF, GIC Ingenieria y Construccion S.A. de C.V., Hanson Professional Services Inc., LB Foster Company, CXT Concrete Ties, Union Pacific and Unit Rail Inc./Amsted Rail Inc.

British Columbia to provide C$7.5 million for E&N passenger rail

The province of British Columbia is investing C$7.5 million (US$7.7 million) for the E&N Railway to help restore passenger train service on Vancouver Island.

"Vancouver Island mayors have told us loud and clear that this rail service supports their economies by creating jobs, which in turn supports many families along the route," said Premier Christy Clark. "Today the Province is stepping up with C$7.5 million to help return this train service to island families and communities."

Funding will be provided in two parts. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will contribute up to C$500,000 (US$515,000) for an engineering inspection on the condition of the approximately 40 rail bridges and trestles on the line.

The balance of C$7 million (US$7.2 million) will help the Island Corridor Foundation repair the track and ensure that it is safe for passengers. The ICF has identified that it needs C$15 million (US$15.5 million) to complete essential repairs. The provincial funding of C$7 million is conditional upon the final bridge inspection and ICF matching the other C$7.5 million that it needs to ensure all repairs are completed and passenger train service can safely resume.

"Our government has heard from the communities and the local MLAs about the importance of the E&N to families on Vancouver Island," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Blair Lekstrom. "We’re taking a balanced approach to ensure the service is viable over the long-term."

The ICF will also prepare a long-term plan that describes how passenger service can reach its potential, including ways to attract more ridership.

The rail operator, Southern Railway on Vancouver Island, suspended passenger train service earlier this spring when it determined the line was no longer safe and funding was not available to make repairs. Inspections identified decaying wooden rail ties, worn or loose bolts and vegetation overgrowth.

Today, freight service continues with speed restrictions on the E&N railway.

AECOM alliance wins US$15-million contract for new rail link in Australia

AECOM Technology Corporation announced that its TrackStar alliance was awarded a US$15 million contract to build transit rail infrastructure in Queensland, Australia.

The Richlands-to-Springfield section of the Darra-to-Springfield Rail program west of Brisbane, which has a construction value of US$488 million, comprises six miles of dual track and two stations at Springfield and Springfield Lakes, including 100- and 200-space park-and-ride facilities.

"The new rail line will help reduce congestion and ease the commutes of travelers on Centenary Highway," said John M. Dionisio, AECOM president and chief executive officer.

AECOM will be providing civil and structural design of all road and rail infrastructure on the project, including alignments, drainage, pavements, utilities, bridges, station buildings and associated urban and landscape design.

 

 

CN’s Alberta shortline rail acquisitions, upgrades total C$400 million

Canadian National has invested almost C$400 million (US$408 million) to buy and rehabilitate four shortline railways serving resource-rich regions of northern Alberta, Canada, by year-end 2011.

"CN has stepped up to the plate in Alberta with sizable rail infrastructure investments," Claude Mongeau, president and CEO of CN said. "Since 2006, we’ve purchased four rail shortlines that are key to economic growth and prosperity in northern Alberta and have spent significant sums to maintain and improve them.

"Reliable, consistent rail service is essential to current and future oil sands and resource developments and our infrastructure investments represent a clear and meaningful commitment to help foster that growth with quality rail transportation for our customers."

Mongeau said CN’s short-line acquisitions and improvements have helped solidify its freight franchise in northern Alberta, characterized by important volumes of coal, sulphur, petroleum coke, steel pipe, grain, wood pulp, lumber and diesel fuel.
CN paid a total of C$76 million (US$7.1 million) in 2006 and 2007 to buy the Mackenzie Northern Railway, Lakeland & Waterways Railway, Savage Alberta Railway, Inc., and the Athabasca Northern Railway.

Between 2006 and 2010, CN spent C$260 million (US$265 million) to upgrade the infrastructure of these lines, including the installation of new rail, ties, ballast, track, other track materials, bridges, sidings and communication technology, and expects to spend another C$45 million (US$46 million) this year on further upgrades.

As part of its purchase agreement, CN targeted the former ANY line to Fort McMurray for the largest portion of the improvements, a C$135 million (US$138 million) rehabilitation program, which remains on-track to be completed by the end of 2011. CN’s purchase and upgrading plan for the ANY was based on long-term traffic volume guarantees negotiated with shippers Suncor Energy Inc., OPTI Canada Inc., and Nexen Inc.

CN plans to build a new Calgary Logistics Park, which will provide transportation solutions to rail customers moving products and commodities into and out of Calgary, a key logistics hub for consumer and industrial goods markets in southern Alberta.

 

Canada’s VIA Rail reaches out to the public about future plans

VIA Rail Canada held its first Annual Public Meeting June 14, at the Ottawa Train Station. Broadcast simultaneously on the Internet, the meeting provided an opportunity for the public to learn about VIA’s business operations, financial performance and projects for improvements.

It also gave the public a chance to speak directly with Paul G. Smith, chairman of the board, Marc Laliberté, president and CEO and Robert St-Jean, chief financial and administrative officer, during an open-question period. The chairman and executive officers also answered questions sent by e-mail from members of the public who could not attend in person.

Major investment program
Smith mentioned that with an unprecedented investment by the Canadian government of approximately $950 million (C$923 million), VIA is transforming the future of passenger rail.

"It is the biggest capital investment program in VIA’s history," Smith said. "It will give VIA the tools, the infrastructure and equipment, to ensure that passenger rail provides relevant, vital services connecting Canada and Canadians across the country in the years ahead."

Laliberté noted that infrastructure improvements in the Quebec-Windsor corridor will expand the capacity of passenger rail, allowing VIA to carry more people. He added, "this is essential for one of our top priorities, connecting more Canadians by offering more frequent train services, faster and better schedules and more reliable performance."

Performance
In an overview of VIA’s performance in 2010, St-Jean said that travel markets continued to struggle following the 2009 recession and despite that context, VIA revenues increased by 3.2 percent.

"This means that we are earning more revenues per passenger," St-Jean added. "And if we look at the first quarter of 2011, things look even more encouraging. Compared with the first quarter of 2010, passenger revenues are up 6.3 percent and passenger volumes increased 2.7 percent. So revenues continue to increase, due in large part to better revenue management and we’ve got ridership back on track for growth."

Transforming VIA
Laliberté also outlined VIA’s strategy to achieve two further goals: increase services in a value for taxpayers’ perspective and making passenger rail "not only the safest, but most operationally-efficient mode of public transportation in Canada."

Commenting on prospects for the future, Laliberté said, "2011 will be a pivotal year, as key investment projects move forward and reach completion. As we continue to focus on the immediate challenge, maintaining steady growth in the months ahead, I am confident that this pivotal year will mark an important step towards our vision for the future. "