NS Bridge UW-3.27
over Sanitary and Ship Canal
Client: Norfolk Southern Railroad
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Construction Cost: $5 Million
The Norfolk Southern Railroad’s bridge over the Sanitary and Ship Canal in Chicago, Illinois, was originally built in 1900 as the easternmost of four identical double-track bridges. The bridge consists of three main spans and several short stringer spans. The main spans are the Scherzer rolling-lift span over the navigation channel, flanked by double-track deck truss approach spans. The short stringer spans bridge the gaps between the main spans.
After 100 years of use and corrosion, the spans needed to be replaced. Bowman, Barrett & Associates Inc. (BB&A) was selected by the Norfolk Southern Railroad to rehabilitate the structure.
Tasks for the project included:
Preliminary Studies: structural inspection, capacity rating, and field survey.
Structural Design: design of new spans installed on framed spherical bearings to replace deck truss and stringer spans, design of portions of floor system for lift span, detailing connections from new members to existing, and bridge seat modifications to accommodate the loads and geometry of new spans.
Construction Management: shop drawing review and field observation during the 72-hour track outages for the placement of new spans.
BB&A obtained the following permits for this project:
- IEPA Section 401 Water Quality Certification
- IDNR Office of Water Resources
- US Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District - Nationwide Permits 3 and 33
- Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago - Temporary Access Easement
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