The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority has awarded a $414 million design-build contract to a three way partnership of FlatironDragados and Herzog for the Franconia–Springfield rail bypass, a grade-separated mission designed to support reliability for each passenger and freight rail via one in every of Virginia’s busiest corridors.
In step with a FlatironDragados liberate June 22 saying the win, the mission will realign 1.4 miles of passenger observe and features a 0.6-mile flyover bridge that may to start with raise a unmarried observe however is engineered to improve a long run 2nd mainline.
The company’s February 2025 reality sheet notes the bypass design is ready 90% whole, with structure anticipated to start out this month and end by way of 2029.
Jim Schneiderman, FlatironDragados govt vp, stated in a observation the mission “will supply more secure, extra environment friendly rail carrier by way of lowering congestion and bettering reliability.” He stated the workforce “will proceed to collaborate to … establish leading edge answers to demanding situations.”
Company technical paperwork display the flyover design makes use of concrete column piers supporting transverse metal ground beams with cast-in-place composite decks over the CSX freight mainline. The manner spans are designed with longitudinal metal plate girders and metal deck plating.
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This hybrid configuration was once decided on over deeper longitudinal girder techniques to scale back the construction’s vertical profile, take care of clearance over freight operations and simplify structure sequencing in a are living rail hall, in step with the company’s January 2023 structure business request for info.
Plans display that the bypass alignment would require roughly 400,000 cu yd of earthwork, embankments, and conserving partitions to reduce affects on within reach neighborhoods. Brief shoofly tracks can be put in to stay freight and passenger trains working during the hall all through the multi-year construct.
Dewatering techniques, underground detention amenities and jack-and-bore culverts are deliberate to regulate difficult subsurface prerequisites, as described within the authority’s November 2024 roll maps.
Environmental tests carried out below NEPA discovered no vital group affects, the company reported; a noise find out about carried out decided post-construction sound ranges at within reach properties will stay underneath 66 decibels, more or less identical to conversational noise. The company mentioned it coordinated with the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Flora and fauna Carrier and Virginia Dept. of Environmental High quality to handle wetland and natural world concerns.
More than one Investment Resources
The mission is funded via federal, state and native assets, together with a $100- million Federal Railroad Management Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Protection Enhancements grant, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority contributions and Amtrak finances.
The bypass bureaucracy a part of the rail company’s Remodeling Rail in Virginia initiative, which additionally comprises the Franconia–Lorton 3rd observe and Lengthy Bridge North tasks.
Scott Norman, govt vp of Herzog, stated the three way partnership “appears to be like ahead to bringing this mission in on time and on finances.”
