Infrastructure news – Page 16
-
In depthComment: Member states hold key to a Single European Railway Area
The European Commission has bold plans to create a Single European Railway Area, but these ambitious aims remain firmly dependent on cooperation from member states across the Eurozone, suggests our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
-
NewsHitachi Rail awarded TGV cab signalling contract
FRANCE: National operator SNCF has awarded Hitachi Rail a framework agreement to supply dual ERTMS/TVM onboard signalling equipment for its high speed train fleets, including the future Alstom TGV M trainsets. The equipment will combine the European standard ETCS with the TVM high speed line cab ...
-
Rail Business UKRail Minister commits to trans-Pennine electrification ‘in full’ and HS2 to Manchester
UK: Suggestions that the Transpennine Route Upgrade may be scaled back in response to funding constraints were rejected by Transport Minister Huw Merriman when questioned by Rail Business UK.
-
NewsPlasser & Theurer unveils ÖBB electric maintenance vehicles
AUSTRIA: The first of 56 electric-battery modular maintenance vehicles ordered by Austrian Federal Railways has been unveiled at Plasser & Theurer’s factory in Linz.
-
NewsShort line to carry petrochemicals
BRAZIL: The National Land Transport Agency has authorised plans to build a 35 km line linking Rio Bonito to Maricá. The project was announced in the Official Gazette on May 10, after which the promoter had 30 days to confirm final details. Located to the east ...
-
NewsItalian ERTMS support scheme approved
ITALY: A €300m scheme to provide direct government grants for the acquisition and installation of ETCS onboard equipment has been approved by the European Commission under EU state aid rules. The programme running to the end of 2026 aims to encourage passenger and freight modal shift ...
-
NewsRasht – Astara railway construction agreement signed
IRAN: An intergovernmental agreement for the construction of the 162 km Rasht – Astara railway in northern Iran was signed by the transport ministers of Iran and Russia during a video conference between the national presidents on May 17. The cost of the project is put ...
-
Rail Business UKManchester rail plans rethought as ‘ambition wasn’t able to be delivered’
UK: Network Rail has withdrawn a planning application for rail infrastructure works in Manchester, Rail Minister Huw Merriman confirmed during a visit to the city on May 25.
-
NewsMetre-gauge line to be modernised
SPAIN: Infrastructure manager ADIF has called tenders for a comprehensive upgrade of the 1 000 mm gauge Cercedilla – Los Cotos mountain railway, which is operated as Madrid suburban Line C9.
-
Rail Business UKNetwork Rail reports cost savings from London Waterloo lubrication trial
UK: Network Rail reports significant cost and time savings following the trial installation of novel lubrication equipment on switch & crossing components on the approach to London Waterloo station. The turnouts experience very high levels of traffic, resulting in high rates of rolling contact fatigue and ...
-
NewsTax exemptions help fund Brazilian rail projects
BRAZIL: The Federal Ministry of Transport has announced that a number of privately-funded rail projects will qualify for tax exemptions under the REIDI programme intended to encourage infrastructure investment. Details of the qualifying projects were published in the Official Gazette towards the end of April. Three ...
-
NewsElectrification contract awarded
SLOVAKIA: Infrastructure manager ŽSR has awarded ELTRA a €216·1m contract to modernise and electrify the 33·5 km Bánovce nad Ondavou – Humenné line east of Košice. The single-track line will be electrified at 3 kV DC with provision for future conversion to 25 kV 50 Hz. ...
-
NewsAirport link maintenance contract extended
POLAND: Pomorska Kolej Metropolitalna has awarded Alstom a further two-year contract to maintain signalling and train control systems on its 19·5 km route serving Gdańsk airport. The contract running from May 1 covers repair and periodic inspections of equipment manufactured by Alstom, including balises, axle counters ...
-
Rail Business UKEast West Rail plans updated and Bedford – Cambridge preferred route confirmed
UK: Project promoter East West Railway Co has published updated plans for the development of the future Oxford to Cambridge rail corridor, and confirmed its preferred alignment for the Bedford to Cambridge section of the route. The latest plans take into account the results of public ...
-
NewsContract let to build first section of Salerno – Reggio Calabria high speed line
ITALY: Infrastructure manager RFI has awarded a €2bn design and build contract for a consortium of Webuild (60%) Ghella (20%) and Impresa Pizzarotti (20%) to build the Battipaglia – Romagnano section of the Salerno – Reggio Calabria high speed line. The project is to be financed ...
-
NewsSBB consults on second Zürich – Winterthur route
Source: SBB SWITZERLAND: During June Swiss Federal Railways is to undertake public consultation on plans to build a new double-track line including a 9 km tunnel which, along with the existing route, would provide a total of four tracks between Zürich and Winterthur. The new alignment ...
-
NewsMore Palermo – Catania route modernisation contracts let
ITALY: Infrastructure manager RFI has awarded two design and build contracts for the realignment of the Palermo – Catania main line to allow higher speeds. Both of the projects are to be financed through the EU’s Recovery & Resilience Fund. A €1·2bn contract for Lot 4A ...
-
Rail Business UKNetwork Rail publishes five-year Strategic Business Plan for England & Wales
UK: Network Rail has published its Strategic Business Plan setting out how it intends to spend £44bn on operating, maintaining and renewing the rail network in England and Wales during Control Period 7, which runs for five years from April 1 2024. The SBP published on May ...
-
NewsConstruction starts on Firenze high speed tunnel
ITALY: Work on the 7 km twin-bore tunnel to carry the country’s north-south high speed under Firenze was officially inaugurated on May 15, with the launch of the first tunnel boring machine near Campo di Marte station. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Infrastructure & ...
-
NewsConsultants appointed to support Toronto commuter rail enhancement
CANADA: Regional transport authority Metrolinx has appointed a team led by Arup to act as technical adviser for the GO Expansion programme to provide frequent all-day electric train services across the Toronto region. Arup and subconsultants AECOM, Egis and Network Rail will support Metrolinx’s Technical Management ...