SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority, Blair County
The purpose of rehabilitating these bridges was to raise the thru-girder railroad Bridge 0.24) over 10th Street in Tyrone Borough. The bridge was frequently impacted by large trucks due to its height. The project was designed to provide a roadway clearance of 14’-8 ½” to eliminate the need for a clearance posting and prevent the frequent truck impacts. This project includes the replacement of deteriorated steel components, replacement of the timber tie deck, and raising of Bridge 0.24. To accommodate the raise in railroad alignment, the existing masonry retaining walls along Washington Avenue were modified and precast concrete parapet segments were installed along the top of the wall. Additionally, Bridge 0.05 work included replacing the timber tie deck, placement of scour protection at Piers 1 and 2, and replacement of pedestrian walkway canopies that protect a pedestrian bridge owned by the County of Blair.
The challenge for this project was the need to complete the project within a 14-calendar day planned track outage window, with minor work completed at other times between trains. All major work was completed by the contractor in the 14-calendar day window.
We have worked with Keller Engineers for structural and civil engineering support on six projects over the past five years and have been very pleased with the results. Our projects tend to be complicated phased renovation/ addition projects calling for creativity in planning and construction. I have been particularity pleased with their responsiveness to issues that arise during construction which is of particular importance to us and our clients. Vern L. McKissick, III, AIA, LEED AP, Owner/Architect McKissick Associates