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• Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. won a contract to provide design, construction, and maintenance support to MPact during construction of a $1.1 billion extension to the Metrolink light-rail system in Manchester, United Kingdom. A Laing O'Rourke/Grant Rail joint venture, MPact will add nearly 20 miles and 26 stations to the system. Jacobs Engineering also acquired L.E.S. Engineering Ltd., a U.K. maintenance and services firm. L.E.S. specializes in project management, fabrication and pipe work, instrumentation, electrical, machining and mechanical, among other services.

• Engineering and construction management firm URS Corp. has acquired most of the assets of Tryck Nyman Hayes Inc. (TNH), an engineering firm in Anchorage, Alaska. TNH's expertise in designing rail systems, ports, bridges and highways will complement URS' environmental planning and design capabilities in Alaska. As a combined company, URS and TNH will be better positioned to pursue larger and more complex infrastructure projects, URS said.

• Global Rail Systems Inc. has received a U.S. patent for the FAS-PAS™, or Fail-safe Audible Signal - Power Activated Switch, power switch control system. The patent covers Global Rail's method of controlling and indicating the position of an approaching switch in dark territory. FAS-PAS enables train crews and dispatchers in dark territory to control an approaching switch and receive vital confirmation via a radio network or central dispatch or control center.

• Kelso Technologies Inc. has obtained an additional stainless-steel pressure-relief valve order from Trinity Industries Inc. for 29 tank cars. Later this year, Trinity will build the cars for a chemical manufacturer to move liquid calcium chloride. Kelso provides various pressure-relief valves and the Manway Securement System.

• Macquarie Rail has named Mark Brecht senior vice president of operations. Most recently president of Mitsui Rail Capital, Brecht has 17 years of experience in the rail industry, holding various operations and financial posts. Macquarie Rail provides freight-car and related services to North American railroads and shippers.