Beale Railroad Bridge

US Air Force 9 Construction Group Beale AFB

Beale Railroad Bridge

Location: Beale AFB, CA

Value: $2,295,020

Completion: November 2018

Scope of Work:

  • Design
  • Environmental permitting
  • Bridge demolition
  • New bridge construction
  • Miscellaneous grading

STG Pacific was awarded a fast track Design-Build contract “Replace Railroad Bridges – Bridges FAC#216 and FAC#228.” Specifically, we removed two 60+ year-old wooden railroad bridges (85 ft and 50 ft in length) and upgraded the railroad infrastructure that brings in the aircraft fuel needed to support the Beale AFB mission. We completed the demolition and new bridge construction in less than 80 days, allowing fueling operations to resume seven months after project award.

STG Pacific completed 35/65/95 and final design packages within three months of award allowing construction to begin in August. We first constructed temporary gravel access roads and a temporary bridge across a creek to facilitate the work. We removed and disposed of the structural components and footings of both bridges within a week. We temporarily relocated the waterline that supplies irrigation water to the golf course off the existing bridge structure (#228) prior to completing the demolition. Through close coordination with water treatment facilities we ensured a smooth cross-over during a 24-hr window.

Per our proposed/approved design, we installed new H-piles for the bridge supports using a diesel-powered hammer. Our bridge design reduced previous supports by 50%, creating a larger area for water during storm events to pass through unrestricted. The H-piles were easier and faster to install and attach to the pile caps.

After placing the precast pile caps and bridge box girders, we completed the structural backfill, reshaping of side slopes, rail installation, removal of the temporary access roads and site restoration within three weeks. In accordance with requirements, by November 1st, the USAF-owned and operated train was driven across both bridges.

To meet the compressed schedule, we continued working on the 65% design where possible, while incorporating comments from the 35% design. We mobilized two field teams to perform work in an assembly line approach, leapfrogging between the two project sites which were about ¼ mile apart.

STG self-performed project management of design and construction teams, construction SWPPP BMPs, and installation of the new flow meter.

Performance Highlights

  • Completed the project on time, on budget and with no safety incidents nor environmental impact, despite a highly compressed schedule with a 2-3 week delay due to permitting and unanticipated site conditions
  • Successfully coordinated the smooth transition of the temporary waterline without disruption to service and with no unintended discharges