Project Details
Advanced American Construction (AAC) was contracted by BNSF Railway as a General Contractor to perform the complete replacement of BNSF’s Fallbridge Subdivision Bridge 66.4 over the Little White Salmon River near Drano Lake located in the Columbia Gorge. This was an in-line replacement managed by BNSF Heavy Bridge Division utilizing Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques in design and construction to limit track closure.
The BNSF Bridge 66.4 changeout was successfully completed on Monday September 14th, 2020 over a 36-hour train closure. This was a very complicated In-line railroad replacement of an existing 411’ long 5 span railroad bridge built in 1913 with new 436’ long three span bridge. Installation of micropile foundation ranging in depth from 45’ to 200’ due to the undetermined rock layer in the Columbia Gorge. Cast-in-place pier caps on both sides of an active waterway. Land to barge roll-on operation of new off-site constructed 2.7 million pound, 336’ “through truss” bridge. Marine tow up the Columbia Gorge and through the Bonneville Lock and Dam. Barge ballasting and float-out operations to remove the existing old bridge after the last train passed. Float-in and barge ballasting operations to set the new bridge on its pier caps. Land and Water cranes to remove and install approach sections.
AAC worked closely with BNSF Northwest Structures, HNTB Engineering, Jacobs Engineering and Genesis Structures to solve this complicated and challenging project. All work was completed as a team and without safety or environmental incident.
Project Video
66.4 Little White Salmon Bridge Replacement
Video Tour
