Eastern Railroad Discussion > Grade Separated Underpass Update 6.24.19

Location: Douglasville Georgia
Norfolk Southern East End / Atlanta Terminal MP658
Scope Of Project:
The project consists of a 3.10 mile bypass of hi-way SR92 east of Douglasville Georgia and includes three east/west bridges over the new north/south hi-way. East Strickland Street / NS East End Mainline* / Siding & US78 Bankhead Hwy. On January 30, 2018 during the annual MOW outage of the NS Alabama East End District* the cut in of the shoofly around the railroad's new bridge location took place. That was 17 months ago and the total construction in the area of US-78 and the NS mainline is currently approaching the 4 year 8 month mark. 

* It should be pointed out that this section of tracks is maintained by the the Alabama Division but the tracks are controlled and are a part of the Atlanta Terminal District.

Link To Last Post On This Topic. https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?2,4777624
Link To Next Update on this subject: https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?2,4839862

Link To Original Post. https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?2,4233971  
With Artist Rendering of the completed project & aerial view.

Since the last update posted on this project back in April of this year much progress has been made on the BIG task of rock removal from the area. As the rock removal process continues southward toward the soldier pile wall with tiebacks at the shoofly, construction crews have to take extra care to minimize damage to the rock ledge that the shoring is laid into. I am guessing that the excavation work is a tad over 2/3's of the way complete. In the last week the contractors Bridge Building Crew has started setting up their equipment on site. I have heard that they want to have both the East Strickland Street and double track railroad bridge completed by the end of the 2019. That would then allow for the tracks to be put back in place during the 2020 annual January MOW Outage on the Alabama East End District.  

#1. Looking north in this photo shows a series of holes that have been drilled for the placement of blasting material. Once in place, several truck loads of “rock-free” dirt will be placed over the area to act as a carpet over the blasting area. 

#2. In this photo taken three weeks after the photo above one can see just how much work has been done in the past three weeks. ID #1 indicates the eastern location of the Strickland Street bridge. ID #2 is the location of the NS bridge. 

#3. Looking northeast at the eastern limits of the construction limits. Note the progress here with photo #1 above. 

...more to follow...

Phil Maton
Villa Rica, GA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/20 04:08 by NSSpike.

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#4. From the eastern edge of the site looking northwest one can see the application of anchors, welded wire fabric and sprayed on cement designed to stabilize the outer edge of the rock cut. 

#5. From the same location looking southwest at the edge of the soldier pile wall where the most critical work of rock removal is taking place. One can expect additional anchors etc. will be applied here as well as the the process continues. 

Thanks for stopping by and always be safe in your travels and when out track side!!!

Phil Maton
Villa Rica, GA

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Thanks again for your continuing coverage of this project. 

Now might be a good time to point out that in the big picture this certainly is not one of the biggest projects ever undertaken that involves any US Railroads. Cost wise and scope of work wise. But don't tell that to the citizens in Douglasville or for that matter any of the folks that travel US Hi-Way 78 in the surrounding west Georgia communities. The by-pass of Ga.Hiway 92 to the east of Douglasville includes upwards of 7 plus miles of widening of the hi-way to the north of town is an extremely important project. The elimination of three at grade road crossings through town alone will be one of the most positive outcomes of this project. 

And speaking of cost and scope of work... below are a few links to other projects that have been posted here on TO by members that in my book set the standard on how one goes about documenting Railroad projects.

Sounder Tocoma Bridge ConstructionBy: DelMonteX
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,4237536,4237536#msg-4237536 
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,4237536,4237536#msg-4237536 

BNSF Media TrestleBy trainboy03
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,4220903,4220903#msg-4220903
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,4658178,4658400#msg-4658400    

Phil Maton
Villa Rica, GA