KS Engineers, P.C. (KSE) was retained by Amtrak to perform site inspection and design services for three bridges on Amtrak’s Empire Line. The goal of this project was the conversion of open deck spans to closed, ballasted deck spans utilizing Amtrak’s Precast Deck Standards. In addition, numerous structural issues had been identified for each of these bridges, which would require design services for repair efforts that would accompany the deck conversions. The three subject bridges were Bridge No. 95.66 over Tivoli Bay in Barrytown, NY; Bridge No. 95.90 over Tivoli Bay in Barrytown, NY; and Bridge No. 109.86 over Oak Hill Creek in Greendale, NY.
For each of the three bridges, KSE performed both inspection and design tasks. The inspection task included gathering and reviewing existing information on the site in order to gain a complete understanding of the existing conditions at the site; performing an in-depth inspection of the bridge to address significant conditions previously uncovered and new conditions that may have developed since the last inspection, as well as to obtain necessary measurements for the preparation of the contract documents; performing a load rating analysis of the three bridges to determine their capacity to carry Cooper “E” loading; and preparing a conceptual design report which summarized preliminary design studies and identified, assessed, and recommended reconstruction alternatives and their associated impacts. The report also included a summary of the inspection findings.
Following Amtrak’s approval of the selected alternative for each bridge, KSE prepared the 60% plans, which included deck conversion plans and structural flag repair plans, specifications, a construction schedule, and a construction cost estimate. The plans also showed in detail the locations of all proposed repairs.
Comments received on the 60% Design were subsequently incorporated into the 90% Design, which included preparation of complete construction plans and specifications, and updates to the cost estimate and construction schedule. Comments on the 90% Design were incorporated into the Final Design plans, from which the reconstruction could proceed.
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