Aimed at preventing rail disasters like the one that killed 79 people in Spain last month, Los Angeles commuter-rail operator Metrolink is installing a sophisticated control system along its 512 miles of track. Image Courtesy of Parsons Installation of positive train control technology on Metrolink trains will help prevent collisions and over-speed accidents. Related Links: American Companies Adopt Swiss Hardware for Railroad Surveying FRA Issues High-Speed Rail Guidelines The $210.9-million project involves a network of software, signal network updates and communications towers—known as positive train control (PTC)—that will interoperate with similar systems overlayed onto freight-railroad networks operated by United Pacific,
Image Courtesy of Metrolink Installation of positive train control technology on Metrolink trains will help prevent collisions and over-speed accidents. Related Links: American Companies Adopt Swiss Hardware for Railroad Surveying FRA Issues High-Speed Rail Guidelines Aimed at preventing rail disasters like the one that killed 79 people in Spain last month, Los Angeles commuter-rail operator Metrolink is installing a sophisticated control system along its 512 miles of track.The $210.9-million project involves a network of software, signal network updates and communications towers—known as positive train control (PTC)—that will interoperate with similar systems overlayed onto freight-railroad networks operated by United Pacific, Burlington
Photo by AP/Wideworld Regulators were sharply critical of the California utility PG&E after a 2010 gas-pipeline explosion Related Links: Natural Gas Boom Drives Pipeline Upgrades NTSB's San Bruno Blast Study Focuses on Pipe Weld Seams California utility regulators have proposed a $2.25-billion fine against PG&E for a 2010 natural-gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno, but the San Francisco-based utility claims the true cost to its shareholders would approach $4 billion, including money already spent on safety upgrades.The 30-in.-dia pipeline rupture killed eight people, injured 58 and decimated a residential neighborhood in the Bay Area suburb.Earlier this year, the California Public
The San Francisco Bay Bridge will not open on time because of the ongoing effort to fix broken shear bolt rods. California lawmakers, meanwhile, vow to hold accountable those responsible for the delay to replace the seismically deficient current bridge. Image courtesy of Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee A saddle retrofit will replace the lost clamping force from the failed rods that are embedded in the pier cap. Image courtesy of Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee Locations for defective bolts, along with over 2,200 other bolts that will be either replaced after bridge completion or monitored over time, are shown
Image Courtesy of Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee A saddle retrofit will replace the lost clamping force from the failed rods that are embedded in the pier cap. Related Links: Plan Enlists Custom Steel Saddles to Repair Broken Bay Bridge Bolts Read the Full Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee Report (PDF) The San Francisco Bay Bridge will not open on time because of the ongoing effort to fix broken shear bolt rods. California lawmakers, meanwhile, vow to hold accountable those responsible for the delay to replace the seismically deficient current bridge.Originally planned to open on Labor Day, the $6.3-billion bridge's
Image courtesy California American Water The 106-ft-tall San Clemente Dam has is at risk of failure during an earthquake or probable maximum flood. Image courtesy California American Water Crews will divert the river and leave tons of sediment in place. Related Links: Elwha River Restoration Project Involves Largest Dam Removal Effort in U.S. History As Funds Line Up, a Tall Dam In California Will Come Down California's largest-ever dam removal project will take advantage of the area's unique topography to allow builders to divert permanently the Carmel River into a new channel.Built in 1921 about 18.5 miles upstream of the
California’s largest dam removal project ever will take advantage of the area’s unique topography to allow builders to permanently divert the Carmel River into a new channel. Photo courtesy California American Water The San Clemente Dam was built in 1921. Image courtesy California American Water Crews will divert the river and leave the accumulated sediment in place. Related Links: Elwha River Restoration Project Involves Largest Dam Removal Effort in U.S. History As Funds Line Up, a Tall Dam In California Will Come Down Built in 1921 about 18.5 miles upstream of the Pacific Ocean in Monterey County, the 106-ft-tall San
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is investigating the death last week of an elevator mechanic at the $1.3-billion Levi’s Stadium, being built for the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara County. Donald White, 63, had been working on a ladder at the bottom of an elevator shaft in the early morning of June 11, when he was struck by an elevator counterweight and killed. White had been employed as an elevator mechanic for the past several years by Schindler Elevator Corp. of Morristown, N.J., according to a statement released by the subcontractor on the stadium project.
Related Links: ENR Global Best Projects Awards 2013 Global Construction 2025 Forecast Outlines Which New Tiger Nations Will Roar Strategies for Emerging Construction Markets The construction industry is becoming more global, allowing firms to find a steadier stream of work internationally when domestic markets dry up. However, the widening geographic footprint is forcing firms to come to grips with the added cultural, labor and logistical challenges, including unpaid bills."Globalization has happened—the game has changed," said Lee A. McIntire, chairman and CEO of CH2M Hill Cos., who spoke at the Global Construction Summit, which ENR hosted on June 6-7 in New
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Facility decommissioning could cost billions; Southern California Edison will record a $650-million charge in second quarter. Related Links: Life After Fukushima: Industry, Wall Street and government react to Japans growing nuclear crisis Southern California Edison (SCE) is closing down its troubled San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.The plant’s two reactor units have been shut down since early 2012 after a small leak was detected in a steam generator manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.The Rosemead, Calif.-based utility originally submitted plans to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to restart the reactors, but uncertainty about whether the plan would be
