Technical Description:
- Span: 32 ft
- Rise: 13 ft
- Length: 35 ft
The South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) provides commuter rail service throughout Philadelphia and suburban counties. As the result of the planned extension of the Doylestown Township shared use path, SEPTA was required to replace an existing 12’ span bridge along an active commuter rail line.
The new alignment required SEPTA to replace the existing structure to accommodate both the private road for the college and the shared use path for the township. SEPTA could not afford extended down time to replace the structure. They researched several options and selected the CON/SPAN® precast bridge system.
Construction was scheduled for Labor Day weekend. Demolition commenced at 4 a.m. Friday and installation of the new bridge began at 6 a.m. Saturday, which included precast foundations, arch units, headwalls and wingwalls. Installation was completed in 14 hours. The contractor finished grouting and backfill and turned the structure back to SEPTA for final rail placement. Trains were back in service at 5 a.m. Tuesday, September 2.
“Using a CON/SPAN for this project was beneficial because we were able to start and finish the installation of a completely functional railroad bridge within four days” stated Edward LaGuardia, Assistant Chief Engineer of Bridges & Buildings for SEPTA. “The structure was well made and provided SEPTA with a very aesthetically pleasing and highly practical end product”
The project required close coordination between SEPTA, Doylestown Township, Delaware Valley College, Michael Baker Jr., Crossing Construction, Contech, PennDOT and Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.
Technical Description:
- Span: 32 ft
- Rise: 13 ft
- Length: 35 ft