Capital Improvements
Span Conn River
L to R: Mark Affhauser, Bridge and Building Mechanic and Building Foreman Duane Truehart are anchored to the rail by Tim Godin, Equipment Operator, (top) before beginning work on the bridge's chain-link fence (bottom). Photos by Daniel Evans.
With a constant reminder of the importance of proper safety precautions looming just a step away, Bridge and Building and Track Maintenance crews out of the East Deerfield Yard refurbished the Connecticut River Bridge's Montague running track.
Working over 70 feet above the Conn River, the crews used a hi-rail swing loader and tie handler to transport and install the new ties. From this intimidating height, the crews removed and replaced 554 bridge timbers and installed new tie plates and relay rail on the running track. A new walkway and chain-link fence was also constructed along the riveted, truss-and-girder bridge's entire 700 foot length.
As the work progressed so did preventive maintenance. To retard corrosion to the structural members the crews cleaned, scraped and painted any of the truss' exposed top cover plates and top lateral bracing.
Bridge and Building Foreman Duane Truehart ensured his crew's safety by thoroughly reviewing safety procedures during each morning's meeting. The crews complied with both FRA and roadway work rules by hooking their fall protection gear to an anchoring point along the tracks.
"Each crewmember was anchored up to either the rail with a rail slider," said Dave Cary, Bridge and Building Supervisor.
Another safety precaution taken by the crews was to place a derail device on each side of the bridge. This would ensure that if a boxcar were pushed down the track, it would be derailed before reaching the bridge.
At the conclusion of the project both of the bridge's east and west end approaches were resurfaced from between two and three hundred feet on each side.