(rshsdepot) Railroad station renovations progress toward Southern Iraq

[jdent1_@_optonline.net]

Railroad station renovations progress toward Southern Iraq 

Blackanthem.com, BAGHDAD, Iraq, December 01, 2005 13:22

Workers have modernized twenty-eight railroad stations in the Iraq’s southern provinces, starting at Iskandariyah Station in Northern Babil, just south of Baghdad, and reaching south into Thi-Qar province. 

Residents living in Babil, Qadisiyah, Muthana and parts of Thi Qar provinces can now catch the train at their local train station and travel to destinations within the region, boarding and exiting at clean, safe, healthy, remodeled railroad stations. Workers have performed numerous tasks at the southern province rail stations such as repairing, plastering, painting, and restoring electricity, water, and toilets. 

Thi-Qar has two of nine renovations completed. Thi-Qar and Basrah Province rail stations are scheduled to have renovations finished by spring of next year. 

Rail station renovations provide community residents with safe and healthy access to the rail transportation system. Passengers can use the stations to access travel within their local area and eventually to travel throughout Iraq and destinations beyond. 

Local businesses can now use the renovated rail stations to ship and receive commodities by scheduling freight movement with their local stationmaster. This will make it easier for business professionals and farmers to ship their products to regional and global markets. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the rail station renovations by using Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Funds. 

The existing railroad stations were neglected for decades and previously were in unsafe, unsanitary, and unprofessional condition. The renovation work began with cleaning, removing garbage and demolishing unsafe structures. Then, terrazzo floor tiles were replaced, plaster was repaired, walls were painted, ceramic tile added to bathrooms, new windows and screens, septic and water systems were replaced, electricity was upgraded and backup generators were installed to provide completely refurbished railroad stations. 

Note: Suzanne Fournier is the Public Affairs Officer for the Gulf Region South, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Iraq

 

By Suzanne M. Fournier 
Gulf Region South
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
 

=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

------------------------------