Changes in Tucson

[Eric Olesen]

Driving on I-10 today, it appears the west end of CP Kino has been removed.

A wood tie turnout was sitting off to the side, and it looked like several track panels had been dismantled (with several stacks of wooden ties spaced about 100-200 feet apart).  I didn't see any UP crews working today, but Arizona Underground (a local contractor) was busy working between the frontage road and the UP tracks.

As I'd mentioned on a few lists some time ago, it seemed unlikely that Kino would survive as a passing siding after the double track was operational, mainly due to the alignment shift that was going to take place before the bridges over the Canada Del Oro Wash.

Kino gets a fair amount of use, so taking it out entirely only makes sense to me under two scenarios --- the second track between CP Sabino and Kino was being placed into service, or the second track between Sabino and Kino was being placed into service.  

I can't see UP killing off Kino unless there was another section of track going in service to replace it.

With all the activity that has been going on from the signal crews, it's quite possible that Sabino to Kino may now be in service, or will be in the next week or three.

Simultaneously, the I-10 construction at Prince Road just went thru its own realignment -- the westbound lanes are now using the new pavement, and no longer are shifted over to the frontage road.  

I've suspected that construction has been limiting factor what UP can do at the east end of Stockham.  The piles of concrete #24 turnout ties were still there last week.  With the I-10 alignment shift having happened within the last couple days, I wasn't able to see if they've started building those turnouts or not.

I'll try to take a run out tomorrow and see if it looks like Sabino's signal heads have been turned... If anyone else is in the area, please feel free to take a look and report on it.

E