2025 MOW Spending Report: Passenger railroads

Compiled by Jeff Stagl, Managing Editor

For a litany of reasons, 2024 was a good year for many freight and passenger railroads in terms of maintenance-of-way (MOW) efforts.

Norfolk Southern Railway’s engineering team successfully completed $1 billion worth of infrastructure improvements systemwide, including the replacement of 43 bridges. Plus, more than 5,000 NS engineering department employees worked over 1 million manhours and reached more than 50 consecutive days without a reportable injury, an accomplishment that trickled into 2025.

Farmrail System Inc. in late 2024 developed a new contracting division called Farmrail Railroad Contractors — which officially launched in January — to handle MOW work for the company’s railroads and other short lines. And the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in October 2024 broke ground on a new accessible street entrance to Long Island Rail Road’s Grand Central Madison Concourse as part of a redevelopment plan that’s expected to generate more than $1 billion in ground rent revenue for the MTA’s capital program.

So, will 2025 be an equally good year for addressing infrastructure needs? It’s hard to say, given what’s become a much murkier business environment since President Donald Trump took office in January. High inflation, the threat and implementation of tariffs, new faces on Capitol Hill and other factors have made it more difficult for railroads to figure out an appropriate MOW budget and work slate.

The 2025 MOW Spending Report — which is derived from our 24th annual survey — captures that dilemma. The report shows elements of the MOW programs planned by 67 Class Is, regionals, short lines, holding companies, passenger railroads and transit agencies based on surveys, which were distributed to more than 100 railroads, or information gleaned from event presentations, websites or press releases.

Among the seven Class Is, only the Canadian members — Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CN — have budgeted more for MOW this year. A number of the 34 short-line industry constituents have boosted their 2025 budgets, the survey shows, but some cite inflation or higher labor costs as the primary drivers.

And among the 26 listed passenger-rail providers, a good number have set aside more dollars for MOW, too. Yet many claim in their survey it’s because some large projects already had been scheduled, some funding had been obtained previously or some needed work just can’t be put off any longer.

For example, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) MOW budget has climbed to $200 million from last year’s $150 million because there are more priority state-of-good-repair (SOGR) items that have been identified and the scope of its SOGR program has expanded.

“With a better understanding of infrastructure, useful life and operating circumstances, a more refined budget request can be prepared,” VTA officials wrote in their survey.

To gain a better understanding about passenger railroads’ planned MOW programs in 2025, read on. An eBook detailing freight railroads' MOW programs will be available soon.

Sound Transit

2025 MOW capital budget: $1.7 billion

2024 MOW capital budget: $2.1 billion

Reason for decrease: A number of existing capital projects are nearing completion and construction has yet to begin on future projects.

Major rail/track projects: East Link Extension, 14-mile light-rail extension with 10 stations in Seattle, Mercer Island and Bellevue, $3.7 billion, phased opening with 8 stations opened from South Bellevue to Redmond Technology in April 2024 and the remaining stations connecting west to downtown Seattle and beyond projected to open in 2025; Downtown Redmond Extension, 3.4 miles with 2 stations, extending East Link extension from Redmond Technology station, to open in May; and Federal Way Link Extension, 7.8-mile light-rail extension with 3 new stations in Des Moines, Kent and Federal Way, $1.58 billion, to open in 2026.

Stations/facilities: Marymoor Village Garage, 1,400-stall garage scheduled to open in 2025 (part of overall Downtown Redmond Link Extension budget); Sumner Parking Access Improvement project, 600-stall garage to serve Sounder S Line passengers and Sound Transit Express service users, $49 million, to be completed in 2026; Auburn Station Parking and Access Improvements project, 675-stall garage to serve Sounder S Line passengers and Sound Transit Express and King County Metro users, $69 million, to be completed in 2027; and Kent Station Parking and Access Improvements project, 400-plus-stall garage to serve Sounder S Line passengers and Sound Transit Express and King County Metro users, $62 million, to be completed in 2027.

MTA New York City Transit

Workers are replacing switches — which were installed in 1989 — at Burnside Avenue on New York City Transit’s 4 line in the Bronx.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

2025 MOW capital budget: $404.8 million (3rd party and in-house forces total)

2024 MOW capital budget: $430.5 million (3rd party and in-house forces total)

Reasons for decrease: The MTA has transformed internal operations and culture to reduce costs, streamline burdensome processes, and bring greater transparency and accountability to the way capital projects are scoped, planned, designed, built and managed. The small 6% change in budgets reflects the variability in getting track access from year to year.

Rail: Replace, install or rehab about 4.76 miles (22,887 track feet) of rail, includes CWR and a calculation of 2,262 track feet to account for 58 yard panels.

Major rail/track projects: A significant track project is Broad Channel Station – N/O & S/O Broad Channel Bridge on track F4 on the IND Rockaway Line, 7,091 track feet, $37.82 million.

Switches/turnouts/interlockings: Install 34 switches, including 32 mainline and 2 yard switches of which 17 are elevated/outdoors and 17 are in the subway system, $116.8 million.

Ties: Replace or install 15,508 ties.

Bay Area Rapid Transit

2025 MOW capital budget: $400 million to $500 million

2024 MOW capital budget: $500 million to $700 million

Reason for decrease: Have other capital projects to be performed withing the right of way that need track access, thereby resulting in less dollars budgeted for MOW-related work.

Rail: Replace, install or rehab 3 to 5 miles of rail.

Major rail/track projects: Plan to spend about $10 million to $30 million on mainline to relay 3 to 5 miles of rail systemwide, replace more than a dozen frogs and multiple track joints, destress 3 to 5 miles of rail and install thousands of direct-fixation pads.

Switches/turnouts/interlockings: Install 1 interlocking along the Blue Line.

Stations/facilities: No new projects planned for 2025, but have multiple projects under construction that commenced in prior years.

Amtrak

Amtrak is working with New Jersey Transit to replace the century-old Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey with a higher bridge that won’t need to open and close for river traffic.

Amtrak

2025 MOW capital budget: Not provided

2024 MOW capital budget: Not provided

Note: Amtrak is advancing a “New Era in Rail” initiative that in part calls for replacing, upgrading and repairing century-old bridges, tunnels, stations and other critical infrastructure.

Major projects: Hudson Tunnel project and Frederick Douglass Tunnel program (both in major construction phase); and East River Tunnel rehab project (in advanced design and pre-construction phase). Also, plan to break ground on a megaproject to replace the 151-year-old B&P Tunnel.

Bridge work: Continue Portal North Bridge construction with New Jersey Transit and Connecticut River Bridge project on the Northeast Corridor (in major construction phase); and Susquehanna River Bridge and Sawtooth Bridges projects (in advanced design and pre-construction phase).

Stations/facilities: altimore Penn Station and Philadelphia Gray 30th St. Station projects (in major construction phase); upgrades to Philadelphia yard (in major construction phase); and upgrades to Seattle yard (in advanced design and pre-construction phase). Also, advance the railroad’s largest-ever station improvement program by beginning to improve accessibility at 380-plus stations and restore several major stations.
Information from Amtrak’s website

MTA Metro-North Railroad

2025 MOW capital budget: $237,267,972

2024 MOW capital budget: $196,674,917

Reasons for increase: A significant increase in cyclical capital trackwork planned in 2025.

Rail: Replace, install or rehab 15 miles of rail.

Major rail/track projects: Construct 10 miles on the New Haven Line; 3 miles on the Harlem Line; and 2 miles of the Hudson Line.

Ties: Install 34,000 wood ties.

Switches/turnouts/interlockings: Install 36 switches, including 16 on the New Haven Line, 9 on the Hudson Line, 5 on the Harlem Line and 3 at Grand Central Terminal.

Bridge work: Budget of $3 million for bridge work and $2.7 million for railtop culverts, includes concrete vault, steel and flag repairs on Hudson, Harlem, Port Jervis and New Haven line bridges, interim bascule support framing repairs and headblock replacements on New Haven Line bridges, and railtop culvert work on Hudson and Harlem line bridges.

Facilities: Replace all recycling centers at All West of Hudson, Hudson and Harlem line stations plus All NHL stations; perform various improvements or repairs at Croton Harmon, Cortland and Harlem 125 stations on Hudson Line; perform painting or painting/platform and tactile repair work at 6 stations; and perform platform state-of-good-repair work at the Milford, Greenwich and Rowayton stations in CT, includes chop and repour sections of deteriorated platforms or chip and repour stairs, total cost more than $5.7 million, work to be done in phases through mid-Dec.

MTA Long Island Rail Road

2025 MOW capital budget: Not provided

2024 MOW capital budget: Not provided

Note: LIRR has a 5-year (2025 to 2029) capital program and does not have annual capital budgets.

Rail: Annual track program scope is under development.

Bridge work: South Shore Bridge painting, upcoming procurement.

Stations/facilities: ADA package 1 work at 9 stations (work already completed at 4 stations), includes new elevators and elevator replacements, escalator replacements, staircase and railing replacements, new pedestrian tunnels, platform lighting and other work, design/build construction began in late 2022; ADA package 2 work at 3 stations, includes platform replacement, new elevators, escalator replacement, staircase and railing replacement, new pedestrian tunnels, platform lighting and other work, design/build construction began in late 2023; and upgrade Ronkonkoma train wash sewer connection, includes replacing components of train wash, upcoming procurement.

Unusual project: Seeking design/build services for West Side Yard flood mitigation measures, a Super Storm Sandy project to protect the yard against future extreme weather events, includes constructing a perimeter flood wall and flood gates, design/build service proposals were due April 3.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Shown: The elevated guideway under construction for the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector project, which calls for extending light rail from Alum Rock Station to the VTA’s Eastridge Transit Center in San Jose, CA.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

2025 MOW capital budget: $200 million
(includes design and construction)

2024 MOW capital budget: $150 million
(includes design and construction)

Reasons for increase: Due to increased identification of priority state-of-good-repair items. With a better understanding of infrastructure, useful life and operating circumstances, a more refined budget request can be prepared. In addition, the state-of-good-repair program is expanding to include more scope in rehabilitating railroad signaling and communication corridors.

Rail: Replace, install or rehab 1.5 miles of rail.

Major rail/track projects: Eastridge to BART Regional Connector, a 2.4-mile extension that primarily is an aerial guideway, began in May 2024 and is 35% complete; install 3 new single crossovers near Champion, Bonaventura and Penetencia Creen stations; rehab 37 miles of overhead contact system (OCS) between Old Ironsides and Santa Teresa stations, $22 million; replace worn ballast at 10 stations, $3 million; replace Chynoweth Track junction, includes track and signal interlocking system, $9 million; and continue design work for replacement of traction power substations along Tasman West and East lines, OCS rehab between Old Ironsides and Mountain View and Baypointe to Adler, and Guadalupe signal improvements/upgrades between Children’s Discovery Museum and Santa Teresa.

Ties: Install about 2,000 wood ties.

Switches/turnouts/interlockings: Install new single turnouts at Champion, Mabury and Bonaventura stations, $6.7 million; and Woz/San Carlos track rehab, includes track, OCS system and signal system, $3.85 million.

Bridge work: Bridge and structures repairs in final design, consists of minor repairs and maintenance of various structures along light-rail corridors, $400,000, start work at end of year.

Stations/facilities: Secondary OCC facility planned at new VTA headquarters in downtown San Jose, CA, $55 million; refresh several light-rail platforms with surface improvements, includes tactile warning bands, signage, painting and windscreen glass replacement, work is in advance of Super Bowl and FIFA events in 2026, $7 million; and replace pedestrian swing gates, involves replacing existing gates and installing new ones and fencing at various light-rail stations, $2.5 million, in final design, start in January 2026.

Unusual project: Activation of Champion crossover will support special event service for Super Bowl and FIFA events in 2026 to be held in Santa Clara and surrounding areas.

Metra

2025 MOW capital budget: $141 million (as part of $366.4 million capital program)

2024 MOW capital budget: $250.8 million (as part of $574.9 million capital program)

Note: Capital programs vary annually due to funding availability.

Rail: Replace, rehab or install 9.2 miles (48,586 feet) of rail.

Major rail/trackwork projects: Replace 16,562 ties and 22,666 feet of rail on Rock Island Line (Mokena to Joliet); replace 37,062 ties and 18,982 feet of rail on Milwaukee District North Line (Canal St., Chicago to Roundout); and replace 63,764 ties on Union Pacific Northwest Line (Erie St., Chicago to Barrington). Also, improve 43 level crossings systemwide, including a number of crossing replacements.

Ties: Replace or install 117,388 ties.

Switches/turnouts/interlockings: Renew crossovers at Rondout on Milwaukee District North Line; and replace switch machines and upgrade switch heaters and turnouts at Lavergne in Berwyn on BNSF Line. Union Pacific Railroad replaced 10 switch machines at Lake St. Interlocking.

Bridge work: Replace 11 bridges and repair 1 bridge between Fullerton and Addison in Chicago on the UP North Line, ongoing $337 million project, Segment 1 work ($90 million to $100 million) to start later in 2025. Also, repair and replace retaining wall between 55th St. and 60th St. in Chicago on Rock Island Line; and repair retaining wall between Keeler and Kedvale aves in Chicago on BNSF Line.* In addition, continue replacing the Morgan St. Bridge on the Rock Island Line in Chicago.

Stations/facilities: Improvements planned at 52 of Metra’s 243 stations. Rebuild and improve 95th St./Chicago State University Station on Metra Electric Line, $33.4 million, involves replacement of headhouse, platform and stairs, construction of a new street-level entrance on 95th St., a new elevator, a new platform with full-length canopy and construction of a new CSU campus headhouse, work started in summer 2024 and will take about 40 months to complete, contractor is John Burns Construction; continue project at Auburn Park to build new infill station on Rock Island Line, $28.2 million; renovate 115th Street/Morgan Park Station on Rock Island Line, involves replacing the existing platform shelters, creating a new plaza and resurfacing two parking areas, $8.7 million, to start later in 2025, contractor is IHC Construction Co. LLC. Also advance 87th St./Woodruff Station project that’s part of $33.9 million contract with IHC for work at 3 stations; and replace roof and upgrade HVAC for Western Ave. diesel shop, $20 million.*
*Information from Metra’s presentation at the NRC’s 2025 annual conference and press releases

MTA Staten Island Railway

2025 MOW capital budget: $100 million

2024 MOW capital budget: $100 million

Rail:Replace, rehab or install 2 miles of rail.

Major rail/trackwork projects: Mainline track and switch replacement, $44 million, began in 2024 and to be completed in 2026.

Ties: Replace or install 8,500 hardwood ties.

Switches/turnouts/interlockings: Install 13 switches and 4 interlockings.

Bridge work: Waterproofing at Garretson Ave. bridge and Stapleton Viaduct, bid both in late 2025; and perform overcoating work at 4 bridges, bid in late 2025.

Stations/facilities: ADA work at Huguenot Station, add ramps for accessibility, $8 million, under construction; and ADA work at Clifton Station, in design phase.

Metrolink

2025 MOW capital budget: $94 million

2024 MOW capital budget: $76 million

Reasons for increase: Backlog of projects not in a state of good repair exceeds funding agencies’ funding capacities. This year, Metrolink was able to get funding agencies to provide more money to address these issues.

Rail: Replace, rehab or install 12 miles of rail.

Major rail/trackwork projects: Replace 7,000 ties and 2 grade crossings in Valley Sub; replace 3,000 ties in Ventura Sub; replace 10,000 feet of rail, 2 crossings and 4 turnouts in San Gabriel Sub; replace 5,100 feet of rail, 2 crossings and 2 turnouts in Orange Sub; and replace 4,100 feet of rail and 2 crossings in River Sub.

Ties: Replace or install 10,000 wood ties.

Switches/turnouts/interlockings: 4 No. 10 turnouts changed from wood to concrete ties in San Gabriel Sub; and 2 No. 20 turnouts (1 side of an entire crossover) changed from wood to concrete ties in Orange Sub.

Bridge work: The FY25 budget only includes work for culverts and there is no new funding for bridges. But the budget did authorize an increase in bridge maintenance inspection staff by 50% and the addition of a 2nd full-time bridge maintenance crew member to more readily address work orders across the system.

Stations/facilities: Have dedicated $1 million to facilities projects, which are mainly smaller projects such as HVAC improvements water line replacements and remote monitoring of equipment.

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

2025 MOW capital budget: $89,358,550
(labor plus non-labor capital budget)

2024 MOW capital budget: $61,214,600
(labor plus non-labor capital budget)

Reasons for increase: The higher budget supports an expanded capital work plan in FY2025 focused on legacy rail lines. The work aims to renew, upgrade and preserve existing assets in a state of good repair while ensuring they can effectively integrate with and support the development of new major rail lines currently under construction.

Rail: Replace, rehab or install 32 miles of track on B/D Lines.

Major rail/trackwork projects: B and D subway mainline fastener replacement, involves removing 112,000 type 1 fasteners and installing new and enhanced type 1 fasteners, $4.7 million in FY2025 ($36.98 million total cost).

Stations/facilities: Elevator modernization and escalator replacement, $126 million; systemwide facilities vertical transportation monitoring system, $3.7 million; replace chillers with HVAC equipment at rail operations control facility, $3.1 million; replace roofs in rail operating/maintenance multi divisions, $2.5 million; install catwalks at main shop building and car wash building in rail operating/maintenance division 22, $525,000; and refurbish and improve train wash system in rail operating/maintenance division 21, $480,000.

Unusual projects: Mount OCS inspection apparatus on light-rail vehicles to provide real-time inspection data on contact wire position measurement and wear detection for daily assessments and OCS condition monitoring, $617,000 in FY2025 ($1.26 million total cost); and hillside stabilization on A Line Arroyo Seco, $358,000 in FY2025 ($10.7 million total cost).

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority

2025 MOW capital budget: $60 million

2024 MOW capital budget: $46 million

Reason for increase: Construction of the E. 79th St. and Warrensville/Von Aken light-rail stations.

Rail: Replace, rehab or install about 1 mile of rail.

Major rail/trackwork projects: Build 1,404 lineal feet of rail (0.27 miles); construct 3,588 track feet of new track (0.68 miles); and surface 10,561 track feet (2 miles).

Ties: Replace or install 1,434 wood ties.

Switches/turnouts/interlockings: Install 2 new No. 8 turnouts, retimber 2 No. 6 turnouts, retimber 1 No. 8 turnout, build Port of Cleveland connector track and complete other work, $19.8 million.

Bridge work: Track and platform bridge rehab over W. 117th St. In Cleveland/Lakewood, includes deck replacement, structure and concrete restoration, and painting, $10.5 million, began in Sept. 2023 and complete in Nov. 2025.

Stations/facilities: Modifications to 18 platforms at Red Line stations, widen to accept narrower fleet, $13.7 million, start in June; reconstruction of E. 79th St. Stations/facilities: Modifications to 18 platforms at Red Line stations, widen to accept narrower fleet, $13.7 million, start in June; reconstruction of E. 79th St. Station, $10.8 million; and reconstruction of Warrensville/Von Aken Station, $6.7 million.

Unusual project: Portal reconstruction at east end of Tower City, includes concrete, track, storm drainage and retaining wall rehab, $15.8 million, began in March 2024 and complete in Dec. 2025.

Port Authority Transit Corp. (PATCO)

2025 MOW capital budget: $58.7 million/$22.3 million

2024 MOW capital budget: $60.2 million/$33.3 million

Reasons for decrease: Scheduling track time with competing construction contracts and maintenance work, plus finishing current large capital projects and commencing new construction projects.

Rail: Replace about 1 mile of rail.

Major rail/trackwork projects: Improve drainage to prevent creation of mud pockets over 4 miles; and replace rail at Philadelphia subway curves.

Ties: Replace or install about 500 wood/concrete ties.

Switches/turnouts/interlockings: Replace several interlockings as part of ongoing interlocking and track rehab project.

Bridge work: Collingswood/Westmont viaduct substructure preservation work, $15 million; and station modernizations, $5.6 million.

Stations/facilities: Replace both platforms at Woodcrest Station; relocate center tower command and control center, $8 million; and reopen Franklin Square Station, $4 million.

San Diego Metropolitan Transit System

2025 MOW capital budget: $48,727,000

024 MOW capital budget: $30,645,000

Reasons for increase: Funding available for MOW projects is assessed against agency needs considering safety, urgency and project readiness. Most projects funded in 2025 were designed in 2024.

Major rail/trackwork projects: Trackway replacement work at 4 locations on the Orange Line, involves replacing existing embedded track on timber ties with new 115-pound rail on concrete ties using omega panels and cast-in-place methods.

Ties: Replace or install about 10,000 timber ties.

Switches/turnouts/interlockings: Install 11 switches, 3 interlockings and 2 turnouts.

Bridge work: Repair piles by rapping with carbon fiber, wingwall scouring repairs by installing concrete mattress with embankment rehabilitated, $2 million.

Unusual project: Orange Line rehab project involves installing 3 new crossovers, converting 2 manual crossovers to powered interlockings, upgrading 3 existing interlockings and upgrading the signaling system from relay base to microprocessors to ensure a state of good repair. The work will set up the Orange Line for bidirectional running.

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority

2025 MOW capital budget: $35 million
(capital funds are allocated per project after approval process)

2024 MOW capital budget: $43.3 million (capital funds are allocated per project after approval process)

Stations/facilities: Facilities capital budget of $8.5 million versus $10 million in 2024 (a shift in strategic priorities resulted in some projects being deferred). Projects include establishing a dedicated location for backup integrated operations center to ensure continuity for critical collaborative function for system, Stations/facilities: Facilities capital budget of $8.5 million versus $10 million in 2024 (a shift in strategic priorities resulted in some projects being deferred). Projects include establishing a dedicated location for backup integrated operations center to ensure continuity for critical collaborative function for system, $2 million; and installing a new storm water pumping system at Five Points interline connector, $341,000.

Utah Transit Authority

The Utah Transit Authority plans to replace or install 400 concrete ties and perform other trackwork in 2025.

Utah Transit Authority

2025 MOW capital budget: $14 million

2024 MOW capital budget: $10 million

Reasons for increase: Two major interlocking replacements are scheduled in 2025, with one changed from embedded to direct fixation, and the early procurement of 7 turnouts.

Rail: Replace, install or rehab 1 mile of rail combined throughout the system.

Major rail/trackwork projects: Replace 2 double crossovers on the Red Line in Salt Lake City, 5 at grade crossings to be replaced and OCS wire to be replaced.

Ties: Replace or install 400 concrete and 600 wood ties.

Switches/turnouts/interlockings: Replace 2 interlockings in the Salt Lake City area, with 1 a No. 6 and 1 a No. 8. One will change from an embedded interlocking to a direct-fixation interlocking.

North County Transit District

2025 MOW capital budget: $7,633,672

2024 MOW capital budget: $7,608,831

Reasons for increase: A slight increase in the budget because of higher salaries and increased employee benefits, materials and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses. These outweighed decreases in professional services, utilities and leases/rentals in the budget.

Rail: Replace, install or rehab 2.3 miles of rail.

Major rail/trackwork projects: Batiquitos Lagoon double-track project, includes 0.6 mile of new double track, $166 million; and Del Mar Bluffs stabilization project phase 5, includes 1.7 miles of bluff reinforcement, $99.8 million.

Ties: Replace or install 400 wood ties at various locations.

Bridge work: The Batiquitos Lagoon double-track project involves the replacement of a 1940s wooden trestle bridge with a new concrete double-track bridge that spans Batiquitos Lagoon in San Diego, work is ongoing; and replace bridge along the Coaster line in late 2025, $750,000.

Stations/facilities: Construct a pedestrian crossing at the Oceanside Transit Center in Oceanside, CA, that will connect Coaster platforms to Sprinter platforms, $2.5 million, start in late 2025.

Valley Metro

2025 MOW capital budget: $1,152,000

2024 MOW capital budget: $440,000
Reason for increase: Updating CCTV cameras.

Rail: Replace, install or rehab 5 miles of rail.

Major rail/trackwork projects: Add 5 miles to alignment to reach 30 miles of double track plus a 3.5-mile streetcar alignment. Also, have 2 rail breaks, 1 to be replaced by project and 1 by Valley Metro.

Switches/turnouts/interlockings: Install 27 new switches as part of new extension.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

2025 MOW capital budget: Not provided

2024 MOW capital budget: Not provided

Major MOW project: Carry out annual programmed track maintenance across system to ensure all infrastructure remains in peak operating condition, includes track inspections, adjustments and repairs.

Bridge work: Focus on completing essential bridge work along various commuter-rail lines in collaboration with Massachusetts DOT; and continue regular bridge, tunnel and station inspections and routine maintenance throughout the year. Also, replace the South Elm Bridge, $20.3 million, work began in July 2024 and is slated from completion in 2025; and repair and upgrade Charles/MGH and Longfellow Approach Viaduct, $210 million, to start in 2025 and reach completion in summer 2028.

Stations/facilities: Continue upgrading Codman Yard to support a new fleet of modern Red Line vehicles, $116.6 million, began in spring 2023 and projected completion in winter 2026. The yard will feature additional vehicle storage space; six new storage tracks; a utility bridge for upgraded electrical infrastructure; upgraded crossover, bypass track and walkways; a new inspection pit and rehabilitated vehicle wash; and upgraded signal components for potential future signalization of the yard. Also complete Winchester Center Station accessibility improvements, $50 million, includes complete renovation and structural repairs to improve safety, accessibility and station capacity, began in spring 2022 and fully complete in spring 2025.
All information from authority’s website

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority

2025 MOW capital budget: Not provided

2024 MOW capital budget: Not provided

Stations/facilities: Continue rebuilding Ardmore Station as part of station accessibility program, includes new high-level inbound and outbound platforms, new passenger shelters and a renovated station building, complete in late 2025; and rebuild Jenkintown-Wyncote Station as part of station accessibility program, includes new high-level platforms and a pedestrian overpass with an elevator, design underway with construction to start in summer and conclude in winter 2027.
All information from authority’s website

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

This year, WMATA is advancing a systemwide track and structures rehabilitation program that involves preventative maintenance to rail systems to maintain a state of good repair.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

2025 MOW capital budget: Not provided

2024 MOW capital budget: Not provided

Rail: Track and structures rehabilitation program systemwide, involves preventative maintenance to rail systems to maintain a state of good repair, includes rail replacement, stray current mitigation, track bed cleaning and vegetation controls, $111.8 million budgeted for FY2025.

Bridge work: Rehab an aerial structure between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Medical Center stations and an aerial structure between Stadium-Armory and Minnesota Ave stations, work began in winter 2022 and is slated for completion in summer 2025.

Stations/facilities: (Systemwide initiatives with figures budgeted for FY2025) Rail station lighting improvements, $44.7 million; parking garage and surface lot rehab program, $16 million; station and facility restoration program, includes replacement of worn materials and fixtures, thorough cleaning and power washing of concrete and architectural features, and rehabs of restrooms and breakrooms, $13.6 million; station entrance canopy installations, $13 million; facility roof rehab and replacement program, $12.2 million; rail yard facility and site rehabs, $11.3 million; Union Station improvements, $9.6 million; rail passenger facility state-of-good-repair program, $7.8 million; elevator rehabilitation program, includes replacement of internal elevator components and lighting upgrades to maintain a state of good repair and improve accessibility and security, $7.4 million; support facility rehabs, $3.6 million; Metrorail station improvement systemwide, $3.1 million; rail yard shop equipment replacements, $3 million; and escalator rehab program, $2.8 million.
All information from authority’s website

Pittsburgh Regional Transit

2025 MOW capital budget: Not provided

2024 MOW capital budget: Not provided

Rail: Grind rail in South Hills to remove defects and extend rail life, the three-year, $1.5 million project will run from January to March each year until 2027, work performed by RailWorks.

Other work: Temporarily closed Mt. Washington transit tunnel for about eight months, starting Feb. 23, to perform critical infrastructure upgrades, such as replacing tracks, restoring the roadway inside the tunnel and repairing overhead electric lines that power light-rail vehicles. Work is part of multiyear, $150 million investment plan that also calls for replacing track in Mt. Lebanon tunnel, reconstructing Belasco Station, upgrading Station Square and Dormont Junction stations, and rehabbing Panhandle Bridge.
Information from press releases

South Florida Regional Transportation Authority/Tri-Rail

2025 MOW capital budget: Not provided

2024 MOW capital budget: Not provided

Stations/facilities: Rehab 26 hydraulic elevators and upgrade HVAC/electrical systems at various stations, worked expected in Q2; construct rail yard and crew building about 1.5 miles north of Mangonia Park Station, start in Q3; rehab Golden Glades Station and pedestrian bridge, start in Q3; and rehab 16 stations and parking lots, finish planning in 2025 and start work in calendar-year 2026.

Bridge work: Replace rail bridge at Dania Cut-Off Canal, start in Q3.
Information from NRC conference presentation

Sacramento Regional Transit District

2025 MOW capital budget: Not provided

2024 MOW capital budget: Not provided

Rail: As part of Sacramento Valley Station relocation project, double track light-rail alignment, install double crossover and build additional track.

Stations/facilities: Construct new Dos Rios Station on Blue Line, $43 million, major construction to begin in summer with completion expected by 2026’s end; reconfigure platforms at Blue Line stations to accommodate low-floor trains, work began in Sept. 2024 and will be completed in 2027; and advance plans to relocate Sacramento Valley Station to a new north-south configuration on Gold Line.
All information from agency’s website

Metro Transit

2025 MOW capital budget: Not provided

2024 MOW capital budget: Not provided

Major trackwork project: Begin multiyear project to replace track and switches, and perform other maintenance upgrades and repairs along Blue Line, $80 million, work to start in spring from Fort Snelling Station to Mall of America Station, more major work involving planned line shutdowns (to replace worn rail and components, and add signal houses and switches) will occur in 2026 and 2027.

Stations/facilities: Renovate Lake St./Midtown Station on Blue Line, add pedestrian ramp, larger elevators and wider stairways, complete design and engineering in 2025 and start work in 2026. Also, perform various work at Blue Line stations to help prevent crime, such as refurbishing benches, replacing frit glass with clear glass and improving lighting, to be completed in summer.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit

2025 MOW capital budget: Not provided

2024 MOW capital budget: Not provided

Stations/facilities: As part of multiyear DART Transform initiative, begin to raise platforms at 23 stations for level boarding, renovate Cityplace/Uptown Station and remove center crosswalk from platforms at seven light-rail stations (crosswalk work began March 3 and is set for completion in May).

Other work: Also as part of DART Transform, begin to institute additional resiliency measures to help guard the rail system against extreme weather events.
Information from press releases

Email comments or questions to jeff.stagl@tradepress.com.