95th CE activates new railroad traffic system Published May 22, 2008 By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 95th Civil Engineer and Transportation Directorate recently installed a railroad crossing traffic system for the Santa Fe Railroad that runs through Rosamond Boulevard, near the North Gate here. The traffic system will be operational for the ongoing runway construction project. "The railroad traffic system includes a control box that is wired into the railroad tracks to sense the train," said Daniel Trujillo, program manager and construction inspector. "The sensor will enable the red flashing lights to warn drivers to stop because of a nearby train." Not only do the flashing red lights notify drivers of an oncoming train, it also provides much needed lighting in such a dark location, Mr. Trujillo said. "We receive calls from people about the area being dark at night because there's no lighting at all," he said. ACE Engineering was the main contractor for the project, Mr. Trujillo said. The primary subcontractor was Union Signal, while the contractor that performed the work was Railroad Signal and Services. "The railroad track is going to be active during the construction of the runway," said Joe Hunt, mechanical engineer. "The railroad will help transport materials for the runway construction." The Santa Fe Railroad tracks originally bisected Rogers Dry Lake, which limited the use of the dry lake as a landing field. In December 1951, an agreement was reached between railroad and government officials to move the track six miles north of the Main Base. This enabled the Air Force to take advantage of a 65 square mile natural landing area.