San Gabriel Track Improvements

The Southern California Regional Rail Authority awarded an $18.5 million contract to Kiewit to improve the San Gabriel Subdivision of the Metrolink track. The project was a series of new track construction, track rehabilitation (rail relays and tie gangs), grading, drainage, station work, bridge extensions, culvert extensions and signal upgrades.

Crews widened three bridges to accommodate new siding on the line, constructed a new station, lengthened two other stations, added a second platform on a fourth station and extended two box culverts. Crews prepared subgrade and finish grade for more than eight miles of new track construction and three miles of track shifts.

Trackwork involved removing and relocating 10 turnouts on the mainline and installing 12 new turnouts throughout the track. Three separate tie gangs replaced 8,000 ties.

This work was completed during normal working hours as well as night shifts and required frequent use of absolute work windows. Strong partnering and coordination with those having joint trackage rights on the lines were key to the project's overall success.