Project Highlights
- Constructed a "pocket track" to expand capacity
- Constructed 11,500 feet of new track and six turnouts
- Managed grading and drainage work
- Installed overhead catenary system and signal work
Customer
Metro, the governing transportation authority for the Greater St. Louis region
Location
Fairview Heights, Illinois
Category
Provided By
RailWorks provided track, traction power, signal/communications and facility construction services to expand the light rail line at Fairview Heights to accommodate additional rail capacity.
This expansive $10 million project featured constructing a “pocket track” between the east and westbound tracks to improve and expand passenger service limits in Metro's core system. The expansion allowed Metro to maximize capacity during peak commuter times and special events, such as St. Louis Cardinal games. The project required constructing an 11,000–foot new concrete tie track and a 200-foot wood tie maintenance spur and installing six turnouts.
RailWorks constructed a total of 1500 track feet of new track and six turnouts. Crews performed grading and drainage work that included a box culvert extension, and other required civil work. L.K. Comstock worked as a subcontractor to install OCS (overhead catenary system) modifications and perform signals and communications work.
Unique Features
RailWorks performed the complex phased work under traffic and with minimal work windows in just 11 months. Prior to construction Metro traveled another 14 miles to turn the train at the end of the alignment.