摘要: |
Every bridge project is affected by timing. Communities need these vital routes to be built or rehabilitated as quickly as possible to minimize traffic disruptions. For the town of Middlebury, Vt, the need for speed was especially critical, as the bridges and railroad in need of upgrades ran right through the middle of town.
The 20-ft-deep rail corridor, which was built in the 19th century, cuts through the center of Middlebury, with two bridges offering the only way for traffic to pass over it. In 2013, when the bridge design phase began, the railroad was plagued with drainage issues, clearance restrictions, and poor track conditions, which had contributed to a train derailment. The two bridges were also deteriorating. |