Norfolk Southern Completes Improvements to Ohio Railroad Bridge Infrastructure

Photo: Norfolk Southern

CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio – Norfolk Southern completes railroad bridge replacement and track elevation as part of its infrastructure improvements over a 22-state network.

On May 2, 2023, Norfolk Southern completed renovations to an existing railroad. The work addressed design changes to ensure a smoother and more efficient transport. Twenty or so trains utilize the railroad bridge every day, carrying coal, agriculture, and intermodal.

In addition to rehabilitating the existing tunnel, Norfolk Southern also replaced the three-span open deck structure with a single span double track ballast deck bridge, allowing for more resiliency. The open deck bridge design originally had recurring issues with track configuration defects and associated slow orders.

With a steel bridge to last more than 100 years, less maintenance will be required. With new track alignment and structure, the defects of the original design will be eliminated, allowing trains to run at 60mph timetable speed.

Ed Boyle, Vice President of Engineering at Norfolk Southern, stated that “The bridge replacement in Circleville is just the latest example of our commitment to innovation, safety, and infrastructure development. . . With meticulous planning, advanced engineering techniques, and the dedication of our skilled team, we are proud to have replaced an aging structure with a state-of-the-art bridge that will serve transportation needs for generations to come.”