NCDOT awards contract for railbed construction

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) awarded a $24.9-million contract to Crowder Construction Co. to construct railroad roadbed along a 12-mile segment of the North Carolina Railroad/Norfolk Southern corridor. The work will span from north of Rocky River Road in Concord to Orr Road in Charlotte.

UP Iowa to Missouri line undergoing track improvements

Union Pacific will strengthen Iowa’s and Missouri’s transportation infrastructure by investing $10.5 million in the rail line between Allerton, Iowa, and Lock Springs, Mo.

VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension awarded $40 million from state

Another $40 million in Traffic Congestion Relief Program (TCRP) funding was allocated to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Project by the California Transportation Commission (CTC).

Hanson names Jeff Bowen vice president

Jeff Bowen, PE, recently joined Hanson Professional Services Inc. as a vice president and will lead the firm’s Florida transportation and infrastructure efforts from the firm’s Jacksonville, Fla., office.

Amtrak, Virginia reach cost-sharing agreement

Virginia has entered into a cost-sharing partnership with Amtrak, where Virginia will be assuming greater costs associated with making intercity passenger rail service available to communities between Washington, D.C., and Lynchburg, Newport News and Norfolk, including Richmond.

UP invests $8 million into Iowa’s transportation infrastructure

Union Pacific will strengthen Iowa’s transportation infrastructure by investing nearly $8 million in the rail line between Mason City and near Iowa Falls. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began August 6 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

CSX Massachusetts line now under MBTA, MBCR control

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and its commuter rail contractor Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail (MBCR) completed the acquisition of CSX rail lines on which Worcester/Framingham passenger trains travel, opening up the line to increased service opportunities.

California Transportation Commission allocates close to $60 million to three rail-related projects

The California Transportation Commission assigned $59.25 million to two grade separation projects and a rail connector project.

DART celebrates 30th anniversary

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) turns 30 this month as the agency celebrates the anniversary of the vote to create DART. On Saturday, Aug. 13, 1983, residents in Dallas and 13 other cities elected to be a part of the new transit agency and contribute one percent in sales tax to fund it.

The Armor Group acquires PQ Shelters

The Armor Group, Inc., of Mason, Ohio, has acquired the assets of PQ Shelters, Inc., formerly Precision Quincy Shelters, of Woodstock, Ill. The company will continue to operate as PQ Shelters.

Purple Line is Maryland’s first transit P3; receives additional $400 million

Nearly $650 million was released in transportation investment funds for Montgomery County, Md., along with an additional $400 million for the $2.5-billion Purple Line project, which will be delivered as the state’s first transit public-private partnership (P3).

UP’s Kansas line to see $20 million in trackwork

Union Pacific will strengthen Kansas’ transportation infrastructure by investing $20 million in the rail line between near Paola and Coffeyville. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began in late July and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.

Canadian coalition says Metrolinx’s bundled LRT tender shuts out smaller firms

According to an analysis by the Construction Design Alliance of Ontario (CDAO), Ontario and Toronto taxpayers could save up to half a billion dollars in construction and design costs for Metrolinx’s Eglinton Crosstown transit project by tendering it differently.

LACMTA Expo Line construction can continue with state Supreme Court ruling

In a six to one decision, the California Supreme Court affirmed the ruling of the Court of Appeals and the approval by the Exposition Construction Authority of the extension of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Expo Line light-rail transit project from Culver City to Santa Monica.

An industrial engineer’s dream job: Track maintenance

Software technology helps maintenance planners get the most out of tight work windows.

Ballast Maintenance

In order to keep track in shape, an aggressive ballast maintenance program is key.

FRA issues emergency order to prevent unintended hazardous materials train movement

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) late last week issued an Emergency Order and Safety Advisory to help prevent trains operating on mainline tracks or sidings from moving unintentionally. The order was made in response to the July 6, 2013 derailment in Lac-Mégantic, QB, Canada.

NHDOT to study alternatives to MBTA rail extension

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is undertaking a study of alternatives for a potential extension of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) passenger rail service from Haverhill, Mass., to the Plaistow, N.H. area.

Goldschmidt Thermit acquires PortaCo, Inc.

The Goldschmidt Thermit Group, a company based in Germany that specializes in welding, acquired 100 percent of PortaCo, Inc., a producer of hydraulic power units and tools headquartered in Moorhead, Minn. The Goldschmidt Thermit Group has been represented in the United States market since 1967, by Orgo-Thermit, Inc.

LACMTA hires Atkins as general engineering consultant

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) selected Atkins to serve as a general engineering consultant (GEC) in support of LACMTA’s rail network operations, maintenance and expansion plans.

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