SEPTA R5 Commuter Rail Doylestown, Pennsylvania

SEPTA R5 Commuter Rail
Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Knowledge. Solutions. Service.
Project Team Members:
Owner:
SEPTA
Engineer:
SEPTA
Contractor:
Crossing Construction Company
Technical Description:
• Span: 32 ft
• Rise: 13 ft
• Length: 35 ft
• Installation Date: August 30, 2008
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.
800-338-1122 • www.contech-cpi.com
Project 13721
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