Contractor wants to accelerate summer bridge work in N.D. and use hay bales to block noise

Written by RT&S Staff
rail bridges
BNSF Railway

The summer brings longer daylight hours, and one contractor in North Dakota wants to put in more night hours as well.

Crews continue work on the Moorhead underpass project, where concrete decks are currently being poured on two of the three bridges that will be used by Otter Tail Valley and BNSF. The two spans pass over 21st Street. Once the concrete has reached desired strength, ballast and tracks will be installed.

Moorhead Assistant City Engineer Tom Trowbridge says the project is 77% complete, but there is still critical work that needs to be done on the third bridge and the streets. Trowbridge says it is possible a request will be made to the city for more nighttime hours so the project can be done by the fall. Ames Construction is the prime contractor on the job, and it is expected that public input will be sought on the longer and accelerated work schedule.

The Otter Trail Valley Railroad is expected to switch from a temporary track to its new bridge the first week of June. After new track is in place, work on the third span, which will cross Main Avenue, and additional retaining walls will begin. When the third bridge is complete the final phase of construction will involve street work underneath.

Ames Construction has been using stacks of hay bales to help with noise generated by pile driving for the retaining wall supports. Noise checks will be conducted over the next month to see how the hay bales are performing.

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