Alliance TX Map - Changes for Airport Expansion
The below article was published by the BNSF Railway.
BNSF track project at Alliance hub in north Fort Worth allows for growth
3/24/2015
When the Alliance Global Logistics Hub opened in north Fort Worth 25 years ago, it quickly became one of the nation’s fastest-growing industrial parks, and BNSF was crucial to that success.
“BNSF’s yard at Alliance, as well as its nearby intermodal and automotive facilities, were a central part of the Alliance logistics hub, along with the Alliance Airport, and FedEx and UPS hubs,” said Vann Cunningham, assistant vice president, Economic Development. “BNSF’s growth in the region has paralleled the growth of the expanding industrial park, and the partnership has been strong.”
Now, 25 years later, planners were challenged as the options for a much-needed airport expansion – a runway extension – were limited by the location of BNSF’s track. “BNSF has two main lines that run north and south, parallel to the airport,” explains Craig Sloggett, general director line maintenance, Engineering. “The airport asked that we relocate one of our main lines approximately one mile west for runway expansion.”
Relocating the track involved removing one of the current main line tracks and building a new main line just west of the runway. “The project required that BNSF build 12 new miles of track and the Texas Department of Transportation reroute a major highway in the area,” explains Brian Large, director, Engineering Services.
The highway work has been completed. BNSF expects to complete the new track this summer.
“The work on this project began several years before the track work commenced,” explains Jeff Estes, manager, Engineering Services. “We designed the concept, met with community members and city boards, and had to acquire the land. Several utilities also had to be relocated.”
More than 100 BNSF employees are involved with the project and have worked injury-free to date. The work includes:
· Building eight new bridges, two of which are more than 600 feet long
· Building a connector track between BNSF’s intermodal and automotive facilities
· Laying 64,000 tons of ballast
· Installing 35,000 ties
· Installing 22 turnouts, including six universal crossovers
· Improving three existing grade crossings for the new track
BNSF is also ahead of schedule and on budget.
“The entire team is doing phenomenal work and without injury,” said Greg Dunaway, assistant vice president, Engineering Services.
“We are very proud of everyone on the team for their focus on safe production.”
About the photos: Aerial image of Alliance Airport runway project; map of runway extension project.
BNSF Headquarters
BNSF Railway Company
2650 Lou Menk Dr. 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 961057
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0057
Phone: (817) 352-1000
For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com
When the Alliance Global Logistics Hub opened in north Fort Worth 25 years ago, it quickly became one of the nation’s fastest-growing industrial parks, and BNSF was crucial to that success.
“BNSF’s yard at Alliance, as well as its nearby intermodal and automotive facilities, were a central part of the Alliance logistics hub, along with the Alliance Airport, and FedEx and UPS hubs,” said Vann Cunningham, assistant vice president, Economic Development. “BNSF’s growth in the region has paralleled the growth of the expanding industrial park, and the partnership has been strong.”
Now, 25 years later, planners were challenged as the options for a much-needed airport expansion – a runway extension – were limited by the location of BNSF’s track. “BNSF has two main lines that run north and south, parallel to the airport,” explains Craig Sloggett, general director line maintenance, Engineering. “The airport asked that we relocate one of our main lines approximately one mile west for runway expansion.”
Relocating the track involved removing one of the current main line tracks and building a new main line just west of the runway. “The project required that BNSF build 12 new miles of track and the Texas Department of Transportation reroute a major highway in the area,” explains Brian Large, director, Engineering Services.
The highway work has been completed. BNSF expects to complete the new track this summer.
“The work on this project began several years before the track work commenced,” explains Jeff Estes, manager, Engineering Services. “We designed the concept, met with community members and city boards, and had to acquire the land. Several utilities also had to be relocated.”
More than 100 BNSF employees are involved with the project and have worked injury-free to date. The work includes:
· Building eight new bridges, two of which are more than 600 feet long
· Building a connector track between BNSF’s intermodal and automotive facilities
· Laying 64,000 tons of ballast
· Installing 35,000 ties
· Installing 22 turnouts, including six universal crossovers
· Improving three existing grade crossings for the new track
BNSF is also ahead of schedule and on budget.
“The entire team is doing phenomenal work and without injury,” said Greg Dunaway, assistant vice president, Engineering Services.
“We are very proud of everyone on the team for their focus on safe production.”
About the photos: Aerial image of Alliance Airport runway project; map of runway extension project.
BNSF Headquarters
BNSF Railway Company
2650 Lou Menk Dr. 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 961057
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0057
Phone: (817) 352-1000
For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com
