Aesthetic Elevated Light Rail Design in High Seismic and Environmentally Sensitive and/or Congested Urban Areas

The Seattle Sound Transit light rail project is 14 miles extending from the city center to Sea-Tac International Airport, and faced a number of design and construction challenges. In particular, the last section, identified as C755, included 5 miles of winding alignment, within a narrow right-of-way, through sensitive environment, over major water, freeway, and railroad crossings, and subject to large seismic forces. To solve these multiple challenges, precast segmental concrete proved to be the most effective choice. This design and construction methodology has been used many times before for similar project criteria, however for the C755 Project, a number of innovations where implemented. This included a new box-girder cross-section that was adapted for both economical efficiencies and aesthetic benefits. This paper presents the design approach taken, and highlights how the adaptable uses of concrete were a great benefit to the project’s success.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • The title of this paper is listed in the Table of Contents on the CD ROM as Elevated Light Rail Construction in High Seismic and Environmentally Sensitive and/or Congested Urban Areas.
• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  National Concrete Bridge Council

  Portland Cement Association, 5420 Old Orchard Road
  Skokie, IL  United States  60077-1083

  Missouri Department of Transportation

  105 West Capitol Avenue
  Jefferson City, MO  United States  65102

  American Concrete Institute (ACI)

  38800 Country Club Drive
  Farmington Hills, MI  United States  48331
• Authors:
  • Tassin, Daniel M
  • Hall, Christopher M
  • Smart, Michael X
  • Phelan, R Scott
• Conference:
  • 2008 Concrete Bridge Conference
  • Location: St. Louis MO, United States
  • Date: 2008-5-4 to 2008-5-7
• Publication Date: 2008

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References;
• Pagination: 19p
• Monograph Title: HPC: Safe, Affordable, and Efficient

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alignment; Box girders; Elevated guideways; Light rail transit; Precast concrete; Public transit; Right of way (Land); Segmental construction; Sensitivity analysis; Transit operating agencies
• Geographic Terms: Seattle (Washington)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Materials; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01105173
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 25 2008 7:49AM