RAIL FLATCARS BECOME CALIFORNIA'S TEMPORARY FREEWAY BRIDGE

A new type of temporary bridge--one consisting of surplus railroad flatcars--was constructed at Arroyo Pasajero, site of a disaster when twin bridges collapsed and killed seven people. The flatcar concept came to light after the Northridge Earthquake, but was never implemented. This article reports that a temporary flat car bridge structure took drivers over the Arroyo Pasajero only 8 days after the collapse. While a prototype had been constructed, the modular structure had some unanticipated problems for which field solutions were devised. The costs of these bridges are minimal compared to the cost of rerouting. Costs associated specifically with flatcar bridges include flatcar delivery to site, crane use to place flatcars, field welding, and dismantling and removal.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Photos;
  • Pagination: p. 13-15
  • Serial:
    • AASHTO Quarterly Magazine
    • Volume: 75
    • Issue Number: 1
    • Publisher: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
    • ISSN: 0147-4820

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00726988
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Oct 27 1996 12:00AM