Norfolk Southern Bridge Wampum over Beaver River
| > Metra Rock Island | > Norfolk Southern (PC 29.25) |
| > Norfolk Southern (Wampum) | > Riverdale Disaster |
| > Orchard Road |
Bowman, Barrett & Associates Inc. (BB&A) was retained to evaluate and design a replacement or repairs for the seven-span Norfolk Southern bridge over the Beaver River, two CSX tracks and Main Street in Wampum, Pennsylvania. The structure consists of three 115 foot deck truss spans, one 129 foot deck truss span, one 63 foot deck plate girder span, one 70 foot through plate span and one 53 foot deck plate girder span on masonry piers and abutments. The existing speed on the bridge was 10 mph due to the 10 degree reverse curves on the structure. The deck truss spans showed extensive deterioration.
BB&A provided preliminary studies including structural evaluation, field survey and preliminary track alignment for double and single track options for this project. Next, BB&A prepared structural design and specifications for six new deck plate girder spans, one new through plate girder span, precast concrete deck panels, two traction frames supported by drilled shafts for longitudinal loading, modifications to existing masonry substructure to accommodate current bearing and geometric requirements and shop drawing review. Transportation design for the project included the design of a new 25 mph single track alignment on nine degree reverse curves with connection to existing tracks adjacent to the bridge.
The new bridge improves the vertical clearance over the CSX tracks and Main Street.