August 28, 2024 RASC Luncheon with Aaron Acevedo, Metrolink

The August 2024 RASC Luncheon did not disappoint. Aaron Acevedo, Assistant Director, Rehabilitation for Engineering & Construction at Metrolink, opened by letting the packed crowd know that he enjoys the TV show Jailbreak and he is down to collaborate on a show about an engineer who knows SOGR. That might be a little more like MacGyver, Aaron.

He delved into the nuts and bolts of the backlog of maintenance and how assets are tabulated and tracked for upkeep and replacement. He was honest about funding difficulties, from 18-month budget cycles to trying to describe the ‘unsexy’ needs of maintenance for grants. Aaron told the crowd about permitting processes that are becoming tougher, extending the time it takes and impacting forecasting of project expense and completion.

In spite of the obstacles faced by projects that fall under State of Good Repair, Aaron is happy with the 2024 budget and the projects that were funded.

He shared recent major project accomplishments, including the San Juan Creek Bridge Replacement being built on a new alignment. Aaron discussed its coordination challenges and successes, like keeping the bike path accessible to both bikers and emergency vehicles, and working under California’s dry creek bed seasonal construction requirements.

His time-lapse video of the Union Station Rail Modernization project showed the complexities of coordination as train service continued on either side of the project during construction. Train movement required construction activities to be scheduled down to the minute. He detailed what assets were completely replaced, and described the new split box technology that allows for greater efficiency on the tracks. Aaron gave a great explanation of the construction process and new technology while the video ran. Do that as a voice-over, Aaron—that was some enlightening material.

Next up for Metrolink, Aaron is looking for new information to improve their ROW database on slopes and embankments, and he hopes to begin the process with a 2025 procurement.

Thanks to J.P. Ziegler for arranging lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Fullerton. And special thanks to Aaron Acevedo of Metrolink, attending RASC members, and our annual corporate sponsors HDR, STV and Mott MacDonald.

RASC is committed to the education of the next generation of rail engineers, with the goal to provide scholarships for undergraduates interested in transportation. Funds raised from these luncheons support that initiative directly.

Join us! Sign up now to become a member of the Railway Association of Southern California (2024 RASC Membership) and be first in line for the next program.

Sponsor us! Help us grow our scholarship base. Sponsor a program by reaching out to J.P. Ziegler (jackson.ziegler@railpros.com) or become an annual corporate sponsor (RASC Sponsorship Levels).