Passenger Trains > Rail Transit Agencies Construction Picking Up

Chicago's Metra and BART are rolling up their sleaves and getting some extra work done during this...strange...time.  Other agencies are, too.  Here are some news items today:

Metra:  Commuter-rail service reductions related to the COVID-19 pandemic have enabled Metra to get an early start on its construction program, Metra officials said in a press release. “While we’d much rather be running normal service, we’re using this opportunity as best we can,” said Metra Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “By doing this, we hope to reduce the number of construction schedules needed this summer and may be able to finish some work more quickly than normal.”

BART: Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) crews are taking advantage of a 90 percent drop in ridership and early station closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic to work on capital improvement projects.

I asked about this earlier and was generally met with negative comments.  Glad some orgs aren't letting this oppurtunity go to waste.

mbrotzman Wrote:
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> I asked about this earlier and was generally met
> with negative comments.  Glad some orgs aren't
> letting this oppurtunity go to waste.

The Wall Street Journal has a piece about construction and lumber supplies today. Many firms are awaiting guidance on what distances are required, and will evaluate how their protocols apply.

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One of the lumber yards here in Paso Robles (ca) got 7 rail cars of lumber in the past 2 weeks......altho they are known for buying up and stocking lumber when prices are cheap...