More Amtrak Rail Yard Modernizations Underway

Amtrak continues to arrange for extra riders and extra trendy prepare know-how, including three Northeast Hall (NEC) design-build tasks to a multi-billion-dollar rail yard modernization program that the company says will enhance service reliability and facilitate safer, extra environment friendly upkeep operations.

Funded by the Infrastructure Funding and Jobs Act, the concurrent modernizations will present amenities and infrastructure to enhance upkeep efficiencies and cut back turnaround instances throughout repairs and inspections as Amtrak transitions to new trainsets—together with NextGen Acela high-speed trains, which started service alongside the NEC this summer season—and dual-power electrical and diesel Amtrak Airo trains, set to start service subsequent yr. Amtrak has additionally begun the method of upgrading its 40-year-old fleet of in a single day trains.

At Amtrak’s Sunnyside Yard in Lengthy Island Metropolis, a three way partnership of Peter Scalamandre & Sons Inc. and Citnalta Building Corp. will design and assemble a two-track upkeep and inspection facility, and 6 new service and cleansing tracks with cover protection. The $1.3-billion challenge additionally consists of consolidating commissary, worker workspace, materials storage and parking right into a single location throughout the yard; bringing 11 present service platforms to a state of excellent restore; and different infrastructure upgrades akin to reconfiguring two main interlockings and tracks connecting the yard to the NEC.

Amtrak’s Ivy Metropolis Yard in Washington, D.C. is ready for a $705-million improve.
Rendering courtesy of Amtrak

In accordance with a social media submit by Citnalta, the three way partnership staff additionally consists of Dewberry Engineers, RailWorks Company and L.Ok. Comstock. The challenge is at present set for completion in 2030.

In Washington, D.C., Amtrak’s Ivy Metropolis Yard is ready for a $705-million improve by the three way partnership of Clark Building Co. and Herzog Contracting Corp. In accordance with STV, the staff’s lead designer, the five-year challenge consists of demolishing and changing parts of the yard’s outdated major upkeep construction, setting up a 150,000-sq-ft devoted prepare servicing facility, relocating tracks and changing storage areas into service tracks. Buildings constructed within the mid-Eighties will likely be rebuilt with raised roofs to permit for extra overhead house for equipment and the addition of a catenary system whereas additionally offering a safer atmosphere for employees beneath, inside and atop trains.

As well as, new gasoline stations for Airo trains on the Ivy Metropolis Yard will cut back the period of time wanted to transition from NEC electrified service to non-electrified routes south of Washington.

For Boston’s Southampton Yard, a three way partnership of SPS New England and Railroad Building Co. will oversee a $583-million improve that features development of a two-track upkeep and inspection facility, and renovation of the prevailing two-track regional service and inspection facility right into a two-track service and cleansing facility. Full challenge completion is anticipated in 2029.

The $583-million Southampton Yard improve in Boston consists of development of a two-track upkeep and inspection facility.
Rendering Courtesy Amtrak

Two different Amtrak rail yard modernization efforts started final yr. At round Penn Coach Yard in Philadelphia, Herzog broke floor in October on a $462-million design-build challenge that features a 350,000-sq-ft heavy upkeep facility that consolidate a number of, at present dispersed features. Options embody a two-bay upkeep and inspection facility with inspection pits, drop desk and fueling pads, in addition to two adjoining service and cleansing tracks. Scheduled for completion in 2027, the challenge additionally provides a direct fixation observe throughout the upkeep and repair areas, substitute of catenary constructions, new retaining partitions and storage buildings and utility relocations.

In Seattle, PCL Building Providers Inc., started work final summer season on a $300-million improve on the King Avenue Yard. In accordance with the company, pile driving and mass excavation will likely be accomplished later this yr for a virtually 100,000-sq-ft pre-engineered upkeep facility. The challenge is scheduled for completion in 2027, shortly after Amtrak introduces Airo trains on its Portland-Seattle-Vancouver, BC route.

A sixth rail modernization challenge at Amtrak’s Rensselaer-Albany, N.Y., rail yard is at present within the idea strategy planning stage, Amtrak says, with an eye fixed towards offering two upkeep and inspection tracks and three service and cleansing tracks. Amtrak hopes to award a design contract for the challenge this fall.