Safety around the tracks

From ODOT-

The mainline of the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) passes under the new Interstate 5 Willamette River bridges. All north-south passenger and freight trains on the west coast mainline travel this route. Multiple times each day, trains roll through our bridge construction zone.

Maintaining worker safety, avoiding interruptions and keeping passenger and freight trains on-time requires close cooperation between the railroad and our bridge construction contractor.

The Federal Railroad Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and UPRR all have guidelines to follow when working near the railroad. Anyone who works within the 25-foot railroad right of way must receive annual training about personnel safety, use of equipment near the tracks and crossing the tracks. Anytime construction work takes place in the right of way, or may impact the railroad right of way, a UPRR flagger must be present to protect workers and trains.

The UPRR flagger is in direct communication with the railroad and knows when a train is about to pass through. Workers are alerted and any equipment close to the passing train is moved. In addition, if something from the construction project falls on the tracks, the flagger ensures it is removed before the next train passes through.

The flagger is onsite during construction of bridge columns next to the railroad and when falsework for the bridge girders is built over the tracks. Once those activities are complete, the flagger leaves and will not return until the falsework is removed. Only when the flagger is onsite can workers cross the tracks or operate equipment within 25 feet of the railroad. Stairways installed on either side of the tracks and the falsework allow workers to cross the railroad above the tracks and continue to work.

Highways, Bridges and Railroads - It's complicated

From ODOT-

The Willamette River Bridge is ODOT’s largest bridge replacement project and one of the most complex, given neighboring natural areas, pedestrian paths and local vehicle traffic. For example, the bridge from the north to the south crosses the Canoe Canal, local walking and bike paths, the river,

Removing an old freeway bridge and building a new one over an active railroad requires close coordination with Union Pacific, a privately owned company. Extensive plans, including timing of events, construction and demolition details and potential risks, were submitted and approved in advance by the railroad company. Movement back and forth across the railroad and its 25-foot buffer zone is only allowed when a railroad company flagger is on the site. In addition, overhead work is timed to minimize any risk to passing trains.

Franklin Boulevard and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

When completed, the bridge over the tracks will include special roadside fencing to protect the trains and tracks below from falling objects.

Work begins late this year to demolish the temporary bridge and construct the new northbound bridge. Close coordination with the railroad will be a key focus then, as well.