Union Pacific replaces 110-year-old rail bridge in two days

Union Pacific replaced a 170-ft-long double track bridge with a 203-ft-long double track bridge with a through plate girder span.

Replacing a 110-year-old bridge in 48 hours is an ambitious task no matter who you ask; accomplishing it in 30 hours deserves a major acknowledgement. A cross-functional Union Pacific team recently did just that in Iowa.

Spanning the East Boyer River on UP’s main line, the Denison, Iowa, bridge was originally a 170-ft-long double track bridge containing a through truss span. The project replaced the old bridge with a 203-ft-long double track bridge with a through plate girder span.

“Over the long term, the new bridge will reduce maintenance needs, helping to sustain velocity across this corridor,” said Chris Gust, director, Bridge Maintenance and Construction, Engineering, at UP.

It took some sizeable equipment to support the task. Multiple cranes, including a towering 650-ton crane, assisted in the demolition and heavy lifting. The new main span was slid over into place by heavy-duty jacks and rollers. Meanwhile, tampers and ballast regulators were used to surface the newly constructed track.

As employees were hard at work, other UP teams strategized to keep freight moving and took the opportunity to continue strengthening the railroad’s infrastructure.

Methodically rerouting trains to match train schedules and crew resources was the handiwork of the Harriman Dispatching Center, while Maintenance-of-Way employees used the empty tracks to perform necessary maintenance. Overall, the coordination effort lessened the replacement’s impact on UP’s network.

Gust emphasizes the team effort and coordination required to achieve the task and appreciates the hard work and strategic thinking of various bridge, track, signal and dispatching teams.

“These employees made this project successful through extensive planning, communication, coordination, and execution,” Gust said. “Our folks showcased and applied their craft-specific knowledge and dedication to work as a team.”

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