Articles
8 February 2012

Utah and Hanson Pipe & Precast Plan to Add Two Light Rail Systems

by PR or News Wire

08 February 2012—

Hanson Pipe & Precast, a leader in the concrete products industry, is providing railroad grade crossings to two projects initiated by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) in cooperation with the Federal Transit Authority.  The Mid-Jordan TRAX line, a 10.6-mile light rail system and the 5.1-mile West Valley TRAX light rail extension are part of the largest transportation project ever commissioned in the state of Utah.

Kiewit, Herzog, Parsons (KHP), under contract to UTA, selected Hanson Pipe & Precast to provide 4,600 feet of its Premier Railroad Crossings for the Mid-Jordan TRAX line project. Hanson’s Portland, Oregon and Washington, Utah facilities are participating in the design, manufacturing and transportation of the crossings for the estimated $500 million project. The company began shipping crossings in October 2008.

The contractor on the West Valley TRAX Line, Stacy & Witbeck and Kiewit J.V. selected Hanson Pipe & Precast to provide 2,200 feet of Premier Railroad Crossings for the $250 million light rail extension project.  Hanson’s St. George, Utah facility will begin shipping Premier crossings in March 2009. The Premier crossings will provide the UTA with grade crossings that are virtually maintenance free for years to come.

“It is important to focus funding on projects like the Mid-Jordan and West Valley TRAX lines that will benefit both the communities and the economy,” said Richard Manning, president of Hanson Building Products North America. “It’s good to know that through the use of our product we can help alleviate traffic, provide convenient transportation for current residents and accommodate a much larger population in the near future.”

The Mid-Jordan and West Valley TRAX line rail systems will be of significant benefit to Salt Lake City, its surrounding communities and the state of Utah, one of the fastest growing states in the country. Utah’s population is expected to increase by an estimated one million people by the year 2030.  The current travel demand is already advancing the state’s population growth, increasing an average of four percent each year.  The Mid-Jordan and West Valley TRAX lines aim to improve the transportation system and prepare for the rapid population increase.

Clifford Hahne, senior vice president of Hanson Building Products Western region said, “The Mid-Jordan line will make transportation much easier in high-density areas of the valley. There was a definite need for the system, which will not only improve traffic issues, but also lessen air pollution and prepare for a larger community.”

 


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