Bridge

Open Deck Conversion - Sanford, North Carolina

 Upgraded existing ballast deck timber bridges to meet increasing demand for higher capacity.

286K Bridge Upgrade - North Carolina & Virginia

Designed the replacement of five bridges with single- or double-barreled culverts, along with miscellaneous structural upgrades to seven timber bridges.

Emergency Hanger Repairs - Benwood, West Virginia

During a routine inspection, railroad inspectors observed a crack in hanger pin plate. The bridge was briefly taken out of service while FDCE quickly worked with the contractor and fabricator to design a repair that could be fabricated with materials on-hand and easily installed.

Superstructure Replacement - Bolivar, Ohio

An existing 12'-6" low clearance bridge was constantly being hit by vehicles, causing a mutual safety concern for the Ohio DOT and the railroad. FDCE designed a new span that increased the vertical clearance more than two feet while maintaining the existing top of rail elevation. Accelerated bridge construction methods were used to install the span in a 12 hour track outage.

Steel Bridge Rehab - Chaintown, Pennslyvania

FDCE provided an initial detailed inspection using rope access, a load rating based on client specific railcars, and rehabilitation construction plans for a steel viaduct built in 1929. The rehabilitation of the structure consisted of stringer replacements, floorbeam repairs, girder web repairs, bracing repairs, tower repairs, and deck replacement. We also provided construction services including jacking plans and project management.

Bridge Replacement - Solon, Ohio

An initial inspection lead to age old question; repair or replace? After careful consideration, it was determined that no portion of the bridge could be salvaged, but does the amount of traffic warrant the cost of replacement? This is not a question we take lightly. FDCE and the railroad decided that by using driven H-pile deep foundations and pre-cast concrete elements, an easily constructable and economical design, replacement was the safest and most practical option. FDCE provided construction plans, facilitated the bid process, and conducted periodic site visits throughout construction.

Superstructure Replacement - Pittsburgh, PA

FDCE assisted the railroad with identifying several open deck, deck plate girder bridges along their main line that would be good candidates for superstructure replacements with concrete slabs. All spans were replaced in a 24 hour track outage using precast concrete raising pedestals and prestressed concrete NEXT (Northeast Extreme Tee) beams. NEXT beams have certain advantages over using typical closed cell box beams including a more economical fabrication process and increased inspection capability. They also provide a simple solution for a low maintenance ballast deck bridge. FDCE provided construction plans, bid facilitation, and periodic construction oversight. The project was partially funded with a Pennsylvania DOT RFAP grant. FDCE has extensive experience assisting clients with complying with state grant prolicies and procedures.

Emergency Substructure Repair - Smithfield, Ohio

Railroad bridge inspectors observed a critical defect where a portion of an unreinforced concrete abutment broke free. FDCE was immediately called in, where we determined that the vacant side track bridge could be used to temporarily run around the main line while repairs were performed. While the railroad lined the track over to bypass the unstable span, FDCE quickly prepared abutment repair plans, girder strengthening plans, and a timber ballast deck to provide the railroad with a long-term, low maintenance solution.