September top new stories
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) proposed a $5.7bn investment for Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) in its proposed 2020-2024 Capital Plan and Midlands Connect, a sub-national transport body in the UK released a £3.5bn plan to improve the region’s rail network. Railway-technology.com wraps up key headlines from September 2019.
New York’s MTA unveils plans to invest $5.7bn on Long Island Rail Road
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) proposed a $5.7bn investment for Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) in its proposed 2020-2024 Capital Plan.
The proposed capital plan will cover track, station improvements, signals and switches, as well as rolling stock. This will help modernise LIRR for the opening of East Side Access and Main Line expansion by December 2022.
LIRR president Phil Eng said: “The modernisation of the LIRR that has begun in recent years will continue under this programme.”
Indonesia and Japan sign deal for $4.3bn Jakarta-Surabaya rail project
Indonesia signed a project agreement with Japan for the medium-speed train project to link its two largest cities, Jakarta and Surabaya.
The deal for the construction of the 715km railway project was signed by the Government of Indonesia and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which commenced a conducting preparatory survey in June.
Incorporating several existing tracks, the project is expected to double the current speed of the existing train to 160km/h.
Midlands Connect unveils £3.5bn Midlands Engine Rail programme
Midlands Connect, a sub-national transport body in the UK, released a £3.5bn plan to improve the region’s rail network.
Dubbed Midlands Engine Rail, the programme comprises seven projects, which will cover the West and East Midlands. The project will be delivered in stages with the first one scheduled for 2022.
The seven projects under the Midlands Engine Rail include £2.02bn for the Midlands Rail hub, which is currently in the Strategic Outline Business phase.
DART begins construction on $1.1bn Silver Line transit project
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in the US commenced construction of a 26-mile regional rail service from Plano to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport.
The $1.1bn project was initially known as the Cotton Belt and is now called the Silver Line. It will operate with 30-minute peak and 60-minute off-peak service.
When completed, the project will enhance transit capacity and connectivity in the northern part of the DART Service Area.
EU commits more than €600m to modernise Polish rail network
The European Commission (EC) approved €604m in funding from the European Union Cohesion Fund for upgrading railway network in Poland.
The first grant will provide more than €487m to modernise the country’s railway communication system.
It will establish a modern communication system by replacing the old technology across nearly 14,000km of railway.
DB Netz orders for catenary maintenance vehicles from Harsco Rail
US-based rail manufacturer Harsco Rail signed a seven-year framework agreement for the supply of up to 56 catenary maintenance vehicles worth €250m ($276m) to infrastructure manager DB Netz.
Under the agreement, 16 vehicles will be delivered from 2022, while seven more are expected two years later.
Harsco Rail president Jeswant Gill said: “Harsco Rail has significantly invested in Europe to develop market-leading technologies with superior execution capability and to establish a robust supply chain to offer the most innovative utility track vehicles in the market today.”
Implenia secures $360m railway expansion contract in Sweden
Swiss construction company Implenia secured an Skr3.5bn ($360m) contract to deliver the twin-track rail expansion project between Varberg and Hamra in Sweden.
Under the contract, Implenia will be responsible for planning and construction of a 2.8km conventional tunnel, a 450m cut-and-cover tunnel and a 1.3km cutting, as well as several bridges and a railway station.
Laying 2.7km of track and the construction of a freight train station are also part of the work package.
EU to invest €117m to improve cross-border railway links
The European Union (EU) unveiled plans to invest more than €117m to connect different parts of Europe, with a focus on sustainable transport modes.
The projects will receive support from the organisation’s financial instrument that supports transport infrastructure, Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
Funding will be invested in 39 major transport projects. It will aim to reduce freight trains noise, improve and develop improve cross-border railway links, as well as upgrade port infrastructure.