Industries across the board are trying to overcome economic setbacks caused by the pandemic, further aggravated by inflation. The construction industry is not an aberration to the rule, but coming as a silver lining in these trying times is railway construction.

Balfour Beatty is showing profits amid rising fear of recession.

Recent half-year earnings from London-based contractor Balfour Beatty were stable despite a weak global economic condition that may foretell a recession. The company's construction profits in the United States increased to $25.3 million from $24.1 million a year priorbefore. Construction profits in the Uk – rose to $21.7 million. 

Balfour Beatty officials are is optimistic about the future of the US construction business, especially with regards to rail.

The company has recently won $235 million in government and school projects in California. It secured a $698 million design-and-build contract in Maryland at Fort Meade from the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Other US projects include:

• The completion of one of two light-rail lines on the Green Line Extension of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
• Completing the 2.25-mile Automated People Mover train guideway superstructure at Los Angeles International Airport.
• As part of the Colorado River Constructors JV, the installation of the first bridge beams to support widening works on the Texas Department of Transportation'sTransportation's Oak Hill Parkway project.

SNCF orders 15 Avelia Horizon high-speed trains from Alstom.

Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has secured an order from SNCF Voyageurs for 15 Avelia Horizon high-speed trains.

The new 4-voltage high-speed trains ordered are being sold at competitive prices, around 20% lower than the industry standard., with ameet European traffic regulations. The Avelia Horizon portfolio has some is said to achieveachieves ambitious goals for the rail sector,  competitiveness and SNCF Voyageurs profitability with a 20% lower acquisition costs its among the most competitive.

Avelia Horizon has short-length, high-performance, compact-power vehicles and articulated double-decker coaches. Their design increases passenger capacity by 20%, allowing up to 740 passengers in the most efficient configuration.

SNCF Voyageurs in France also expects thatwill have 30% itscheaper maintenance expenditures will be reduced by around one third. This is due to rRemote diagnostics that will allow for predictive maintenance, improving the train's reliability and availability. 

Many components have been optimized to reduce maintenance and lengthen intervals. New high-speed trains will also use 20% less energy than present trains due to their aerodynamic design and more efficient traction.

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