www.railroad.net US Railroad news. 10th November 2011

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Construction Begins on $200 Million Overpass Project
Posted: 09 Nov 2011 02:58 AM PST

The Press Enterprise has reported that construction has begun on an important project to improve Colton Crossing, one of Southern California’s more congested railroad crossings.  Currently more than 100 trains pass through the crossing daily with BNSF trains running on north-south tracks and Union Pacific trains running on an east-west line.  The improvement project, which began on November 8, will create a 1.5 mile overpass for the Union Pacific tracks.  The overpass will ultimately cost $202 million and will be funded with $33.8 million in federal stimulus funds, $91.3 million in state bond money and a $70 million investment from the railroads.
Although the project was originally rejected 18 months ago, the Colton Crossing overpass project will now be able to be beneficial to both the railroads operating at the crossing and local residents.  In terms of railroad traffic, congestion at the crossing will be greatly reduced and trains will no longer have to experience long delays as they wait for other trains to clear the crossing.  Additionally, less delays for trains also equates to less traffic delays, which is something residents can greatly appreciate.  An added environmental advantage of the project will be an improvement in air quality from a reduction in idling trains.  Benefits to Colton residents will not end with Colton Crossing’s new overpass; as  part of the deal that allowed the project to be approved, UP and BNSF will work together to build an underpass in the near future and enhance crossing gates, so trains can pass by without blowing their horns.
Its very hard to imagine dealing with two sets of heavily used train tracks at one crossing, so construction on an overpass for Colton Crossing is undoubtedly great news for the city.  An overpass will keep half of the railroad traffic that passes through the crossing from effecting residents and it will also allow trains to pass with less delays, which UP and BNSF will be looking forward too.  Less delays and less trains will be great for residents who have suffered through lengthy crossing traffic for far too long and no longer having to hear locomotive horns is a great bonus.  This project is a great example of how funding can be used on railroad projects that benefit all parties.


Amtrak Will Keep Control of the Northeast Corridor
Posted: 09 Nov 2011 02:00 AM PST

The Associated Press has reported that House of Transportation Committee chairman, U.S. Rep. John Mica, has retracted his demand for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor to be taken over by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Prior to his recent change in stance, Mica had previously stated that removing Amtrak from the Northeast Corridor would be a condition for the funding of high-speed rail in that area.  According to Mica, the Northeast Corridor would be far more successful if taken over by a government body, where a private company could then develop a high-speed route from Washington to Boston.   This proposal was largely due to Mica’s lack of faith in Amtrak’s ability to create high-speed rail in the Northeast Corridor in an efficient manner.
Mica’s new stance regarding high-speed rail in the Northeast Corridor is one of compromise.  The U.S. Rep. says, that he is “willing to compromise” and that he, “could probably pass just about anything in committee, but  wants to make something happen.”  The chairman also revealed that in the end, his threat against Amtrak was actually nothing more than a political bluff.  The House of Transportation chairman admitted that, “we did put a proposal out there that we knew would be tough for (lawmakers) to accept, but that’s what you do sometimes in the legislative process to get them to the point where they’ll be willing to work with you to make something happen.”
For many, news that there will no longer be threats to remove Amtrak from the Northeast Corridor is very positive.  U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler shared, “There is widespread agreement that some sort of private capital can be brought into this, but I think, I hope, we have agreement that Amtrak has to be the main vehicle for it.”
The fact that the House of Transportation Committee has agreed on keeping Amtrak in control of the Northeast Corridor is great news for the future of high-speed rail in the corridor.   Without empty threats, bluffs and debates over operation, more progress can be made on creating high-speed rail from Boston to Washington.  The house can now focus on more important issues, such as securing necessary funding for the line.  Although there are many who disagree with high-speed rail in some areas, it appears that most agree that if high-speed rail can be successful anywhere in the United States, the Northeast Corridor is the place.

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