Search Results for: grade crossings

NJ Transit aims to keep citizens off the tracks

Led by duo public service announcements spotlighting the deadly consequences resulting from poor choices made at railroad crossings, NJ Transit Board Chairman and New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner James Simpson, NJ Transit Executive Director James Weinstein and members of the NJ Safety at Railroad Crossings Leadership Oversight Committee unveiled a new series of safety initiatives at separate events in Camden and Bergen counties.

CN, CP mark Rail Safety Week Canada

With trespassing being the leading cause of rail-related fatalities in the United States, Canadian National is marking Rail Safety Week through May 6, 2012, with a public awareness campaign stressing the deadly risks of trespassing on railway tracks and property. CN police are urging the public to call CN Police at 1- 800-465-9239 to report unsafe behavior on railway property.

NJDOT announces rail safety blueprint

The New Jersey Department of Transportation revealed a range of initiatives designed for quick implementation to promote safety and reduce accidental deaths along the state’s busy railroad tracks.

WSOR’s Madison line rehab nearly complete

Wisconsin & Southern Railroad LLC will soon complete a major capital project to rehabilitate a publicly-owned railroad corridor between Madison and Milton, Wis. The project, expected to be completed this year, consists of installing 30,000 railroad ties, upgrading 21 public at-grade railroad crossings and installing 32 miles of continuous welded rail in the following communities: Madison, McFarland, Stoughton, Edgerton and Milton.

Sound Transit Board endorses agreement for tunnel partnership with Bellevue

Seattle, Wash.’s Sound Transit Board endorsed a landmark agreement with the city of Bellevue, Wash., to enable the East Link light rail project to serve downtown Bellevue via a tunnel.

The board authorized Sound Transit CEO Joni Earl to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Bellevue following upcoming action by the Bellevue City Council. Bellevue Mayor Don Davidson presented the board with a letter stating the city’s commitment to take action on the MOU on or before Nov. 14.

The MOU establishes a collaborative partnership for Sound Transit and the City of Bellevue to work together during the final design and construction processes for East Link to manage the project’s costs and impacts and to share the additional cost of building the tunnel. Benefits of the partnership include saving time for transit riders as well as motorists by avoiding at-grade street crossings in downtown Bellevue and establishing a grade-separated light rail alignment all the way from Seattle to the Bel-Red Corridor.

"Building the voter-approved East Link line is critical for the mobility and prosperity of our region. This agreement is good for the people of Bellevue and good for the people of King County," said Sound Transit Board member and King County executive Dow Constantine.

Following the issuance of a Record of Decision by the Federal Transit Administration, Sound Transit will move the East Link project into final design. Sound Transit is expected to start construction of East Link in 2015 or 2016 and launch passenger service in 2023.

The tunnel is estimated to cost an additional $276 million beyond the cost of an at-grade alignment through downtown after factoring in cost savings from locating East Link’s South Bellevue alignment along 112th Avenue Southeast. The MOU establishes a firm funding commitment by the city of Bellevue for up to $160 million (2010 dollars), identifies the city’s preferred design for the alignment along 112th Avenue Southeast and commits Sound Transit to review and consider the design changes.

 

DesertXpress gets OK from STB

The Surface Transportation Board approved the building of a 190-mile high-speed passenger rail link between Las Vegas and Southern California. The line would allow DesertXpress Enterprises, LLC, to provide a rail alternative to driving and flying.

The approval is conditioned on DesertXpress implementing 146 environmental mitigation measures recommended by an Environmental Impact Statement approved by the Federal Railroad Administration with input and expertise provided by the STB.

The proposed passenger line would run along the Interstate 15 freeway, with stations at Victorville, Calif., and Las Vegas. There are no planned at-grade vehicle or pedestrian crossings. The project would reduce air pollution, fuel consumption and congestion along the busy I-15 corridor.

Texas receives close to $50 million in federal funds for Tower 55, HSR projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation allocated nearly $50 million in rail investments to bolster both passenger and freight service through the state and jumpstart planning for high-speed rail between Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth. 
 


A $34 million TIGER II grant will fund major rail improvements on the Tower 55 project in Fort Worth, Texas and reduce traffic delays by 100,000 hours per year. The Tower 55 project will alleviate congestion at one of the busiest railroad intersections in the United States, where 10 freight and passenger rail routes converge and carry more than 100 trains per day. The high volume of trains currently results in lengthy delays for area commuters and passengers, which will be greatly reduced thanks to these rail upgrades. 


In addition, the U.S. DOT approved a $15 million high-speed rail grant for Texas that will jumpstart engineering and environmental work on a high-speed rail corridor linking two of the largest metro areas in the U.S., Dallas-Fort Worth to Houston.

"Through our robust public-private partnership with state, local and industry partners on the Tower 55 project, we’re eliminating a longstanding bottleneck for freight rail, creating capacity to handle future rail demand as our population grows and strengthening the foundation for economic development across the region," said U.S. Transportatio Secretary Ray LaHood. 
 


In addition to the U.S. DOT’s investment, the City of Ft. Worth, the Texas Department of Transportation, BNSF and Union Pacific are providing funding to help install new signaling, bridge upgrades, a third track line and improved street and pedestrian crossings.

Once complete, rail capacity will increase by more than 30 percent, making it more efficient for rail freight shippers and improve commuter rail reliability and performance.

"Tower 55 is a crossroads of the North American continent," said Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. "This project will allow the Tower to go from a legacy chokepoint to the model of a freight and passenger checkpoint, a facility featuring efficiency, safety and convenience."

The Tower 55 project will create approximately 900 jobs and provide greater safety with reduced delays for motorists and pedestrians at area highway-rail crossings and bridges. With decreased train delays and blocked crossings, the project will achieve a projected 1.9 million ton reduction in carbon emissions from idling locomotives and automobiles.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2012. In addition to the $34 million TIGER II grant, the project will be funded with matching contributions, including: $1 million from TxDOT; $1 million from the City of Ft. Worth and $65 million from BNSF and UP.

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.

 

Downtown San Diego quiet zone project progresses

Safety tests began in San Diego on July 10 to ensure that newly installed equipment for its quiet zone would function properly. This test, the first of seven that certify equipment function at 12 public crossings, is required before new vehicular and pedestrian gates can be installed, which are expected to arrive in August 2011.

In addition, a test train made a total of eight roundtrips from Old Town Station through downtown to check the accuracy and responsiveness of upgraded railroad signal devices that activate gates at public crossings.

Plans call for all safety enhancements, including gates, medians, traffic signals and warning lights to be operational by spring 2012. Shortly thereafter, the tracks between Laurel Street and Fifth Ave., will qualify as a quiet zone.

Agreement reached for CREATE program’s Englewood Flyover

Norfolk Southern, the Illinois Department of Transportation and Amtrak have reached a development agreement that will bring the Federal Railroad Administration one step closer to obligating $133 million in funding for the Englewood Flyover. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said this agreement will move the project forward and help prevent any future attempts by House Republicans to rescind this funding that was appropriated through the Recovery Act.

"Earlier this year, I joined with my colleagues to stop an attempt by the House Republicans to rescind nearly $400 million in Illinois transportation funding, $133 million for the Englewood Flyover project," said Durbin. "We were successful then, but the House threat remains. Just last week, House Republicans passed an appropriations bill out of committee that included a provision to rescind unobligated high-speed rail funds. The sooner we can obligate the funds, the sooner we can begin putting people to work and moving these important projects forward while creating the good paying jobs we desperately need in Illinois."

The Englewood Flyover project will create an estimated 1,450 jobs in Chicago and is the linchpin for the CREATE rail modernization program. CREATE will ensure that the Chicago region is prepared to handle future increases in rail traffic. It will reduce congestion with track, switch and signal upgrades and by constructing overpasses and underpasses to end conflicts at both rail-rail and highway-rail crossings. It will also limit locomotive engine idling and improve air quality.

Earlier this year, Durbin sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, urging him to obligate as soon as possible nearly $400 million in Illinois transportation funding. This funding would have kept eight Illinois projects safe from rescission under the House Republican’s 2011 Budget plan.

Caltrain works on five projects this week

Caltrain will work on the San Bruno Grade Separation Project this week until Friday, June 10. The $147 million project will elevate the Caltrain tracks above three existing at-grade street crossings at San Bruno, San Mateo and Angus avenues. A new, elevated Caltrain station will be constructed between San Bruno and San Mateo Avenues, replacing the existing station at Sylvan Avenue.

Day work includes upgrades to the signal systems, excavation, construction of retaining walls for the future temporary station, drainage improvements at the temporary station, temporary sidewalk closures and modifications on Scott Street and sanitary sewer and utility relocations.

Night work includes demolishing track south of Scott Street, constructing track at the temporary station, upgrading the signal system between the South San Francisco and Millbrae stations, utility encasement, construction of retaining walls for the future temporary station and relocating and installing vehicle and pedestrian gates at East Angus, San Bruno and San Mateo Avenues

Work on the Santa Clara station will take place Monday, June 6 until Friday, June 10. 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 will improve safety for pedestrians in the station. The work is part of an 18-month station improvement project that will add a new wider, longer center-boarding platform and extend the southern platform 150 feet.

This week, crews will continue building retaining walls and backfilling areas along the tracks by Jerrold Avenue and Rankin Street in San Francisco.

Crews will also continue installing bollards at the Millbrae and San Jose Diridon stations as part of a project to enhance security at three Caltrain stations: San Francisco at 4th and King Streets, Millbrae and San Jose Diridon.

Caltrain will continue retrofitting four rail bridges in San Mateo this week. The project involves seismic improvements to the bridges that cross Poplar, Santa Inez, Monte Diablo and Tilton Avenues.

As part of an 18-month long San Jose Diridon and Santa Clara Stations Improvements Project, Caltrain will conduct work at the San Jose Diridon station until Friday, June 10. Crews will install ballast and replace tactile tile strips on boarding platforms.

Caltrain will perform routine maintenance at several locations next week.

Crews will replace cross ties and resurface tracks between the San Francisco and Hayward Park stations.

Crews will weld tracks and replace rails from the California Avenue station to just south of the San Jose Diridon station.

 

CN, CPR mark Rail Safety Week

Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railway are taking great strides in safety precautions during Rail Safety Week from May 2 to May 8, 2011.

With trespassing incidents and fatalities on the rise in the United States, CN is launching a public awareness campaign that stresses the deadly risks of trespassing on railroad tracks and property. CN Police are issuing a call to action with their "SEE IT? REPORT IT! You Could Save a Life" initiative, urging members of the public to call CN Police when they witness unsafe behavior on railroad property.

"Disobeying railroad crossing signals or trespassing on railroad property is dangerous and illegal. We don’t tolerate people who put their lives and the lives of others at risk. We are getting tougher about enforcing the law and are engaging the public in helping CN Police fight unsafe activity," said CN Police Chief Bobby Walker. "At CN, when it comes to safety, there is no compromise."
CN Police will be out in full force during Rail Safety Week, conducting safety blitzes at commuter stations, CN intermodal terminals and railroad crossings in the United States and Canada. This year, CN is increasing its focus on commuter stations to target a larger audience of rail users, many of whom are parents who will be urged to pass on safety information to their children.
In 2010, there were 2,837 grade crossing and railroad trespassing accidents across the United States, causing 712 fatalities and 1,192 serious injuries, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.

During Rail Safety Week, CPR police service officers from Montreal to Vancouver will conduct more than 100 safety and enforcement blitzes in communities across Canada.
"Canadian Pacific has an industry-leading safety record, and the safety of CPR employees and the communities where the company operates are top priorities," said Canadian Pacific Police Chief Ivan McClelland. "During Rail Safety Week, Canadian Pacific police service officers, in partnership with local and national police and public safety agencies, will be very visible, targeting risky behavior near the tracks."
In 2010, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada recorded 180 crossing accidents, resulting in 24 fatalities and 28 serious injuries. Crossing fatalities increased 26 per cent across Canada last year. The TSB also recorded 81 trespasser incidents, resulting in 55 fatalities and 19 serious injuries. Trespasser fatalities increased five per cent over 2009.
People trespassing on railway property or failing to yield the right-of-way to an approaching train at a crossing risk death or serious injury. Both actions are offences under the federal Rail Safety Act or applicable provincial legislation.

UP to spend $33 million for track improvements in Missouri, Wyoming

Union Pacific will continue improving Wyoming and Missouri’s transportation infrastructure with a nearly $33 million investment to enhance rail lines that run from near Medicine Bow to Walcott in Wyoming and St. Louis to near Morrison in Missouri.

The more than 32-mile project in Wyoming includes removing and installing more than 20,000 ties, renewing the surfaces at five road crossings and replacing nearly two miles of rail in various curves. Crews will also spread 43,700 tons of ballast to ensure a stable roadbed.

For Missouri, more than 52 miles of new rail will be installed, surfaces at 54 road crossings will be replaced and more than one mile of rail in various curves will be upgraded. Crews will also replace five switches.

TDOT introduces new safety campaign

The Tennessee Department of Transportation is launching a new safety campaign aimed at eliminating tragic collisions, fatalities and injuries at the state’s 2,815 public at-grade railroad crossings. New billboards and posters will be installed near high traffic railroad crossings across the state to remind drivers and pedestrians to make safe decisions at crossings and around railroad tracks.

"More than seven hundred fatalities occurred in the U.S. last year as a result of vehicle-train collisions," said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. "Those statistics are proof we need to intensify our efforts to educate the public about taking unnecessary risks at railroad crossings."

As part of the safety campaign, sixteen billboards and 94 large digital posters will be displayed now through late 2013 at rotating locations near railroad crossings with high traffic volumes. The program is funded through the "Ton Mile Tax," which are funds collected by TDOT from railroads that operate within the state and earmarked specifically for safety related programs.

In the last two years, there have been 95 vehicle-train collisions in Tennessee, killing five people and injuring 26 others. So far in 2011, one person has died in a vehicle-train collision. According to Operation Lifesaver, more than 450 people in the U.S. were killed while trespassing on tracks last year, an 8.2 percent rise in trespassing fatalities since 2009.

 

CPR to invest $100M in North Dakota capacity, service

Canadian Pacific Railway will make an investment of $100 million in North Dakota between 2010 to 2012. The investment plan will expand network capacity and enhance rail service in order to meet increased traffic demands.

"North Dakota is a source of growth for CP and the Midwest’s economy with its increased grain production, vast oil deposits in the Bakken Formation and the continued strength of ethanol," said Jane O’Hagan, executive vice-president, marketing & sales and CEO. "CP has been a key part of North Dakota’s economy for the past century. We look forward to providing service to our customers far into the future and know these improvements will help alleviate current concerns, and meet our customers’ future demands for consistent, reliable rail transportation alternatives."

"This is another step forward in our continuing efforts to expand our market access for farmers, for oil production and for other industry," said North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple.

CPR’s 2011 North Dakota investment plan includes:

• Hiring over 70 new employees to expand CPR’s train crew base in 2011, growing CPR’s workforce in North Dakota by 18 percent.
• A new Superintendent of Operations territory focused on traffic between Enderlin and Portal.
• Capacity expansion over the next two years on the Newtown, Portal and Carrington subdivisions including yard track extensions in Max and Flaxton, and installation of a new runaround track in Newtown.
• Increased budget for maintenance work on the Newtown subdivision. Notably, the installation of over 17 miles of rail replacement between Drake and Max including upgrades to 41 crossings.
• Strategic installation of snow fence and grading projects to reduce winter snow drifting between Drake and Max.

Current year infrastructure investment will begin in the spring with a majority of work expected to be completed in Fall 2011.