Tacoma and Lakewood, Washington

Customer
Sound Transit

RailWorks Business Unit
RailWorks Track Systems

Description
RailWorks is serving as the prime contractor to upgrade track and signals infrastructure on a former BNSF freight line to meet Class 5, dual-use passenger/freight line standards. The project will extend Sounder commuter service from Tacoma to Lakewood.

Scope
RailWorks and supporting subcontractors are upgrading existing track and street crossings on the rail corridor from South M Street in Tacoma to Bridgeport Way Southwest near Lakewood and constructing layover tracks for train storage in the rail right-of-way adjacent to the tracks and north of Lakewood Station. All work will be completed under live train operations.

To bring the line up to meet current passenger rail standards, RailWorks is removing more than 10 miles of existing track, reconstructing the subgrade, and constructing 10 miles of new continuous welded rail (CWR) and jointed track, including 15 new concrete tie crossovers. In addition, the project includes upgrading 13 at-grade road crossings with new concrete panels, railroad signal systems, sidewalks, curb and gutters, asphalt, and traffic signal modifications.

Final design was completed September 2008 and construction began June 2009. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2010.