The Southeast Missouri (SEMO) Regional Port Authority project included improvements to 2.25 mile of Port owned rail from Diversion Channel to Cape LaCroix Creek. This line links the SEMO Port to the main Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line in southern Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and runs parallel approximately one quarter mile from the Mississippi River. Historically, the line has been subject to regular inundation during river flooding which causes “fouling” of the railroad ballast causing:
Issues:
- Diminished drainage of the railroad ballast
- Early degradation of the railroad ties and accompanying rail equipment
Bacon Farmer and Workman (BFW) was contracted to provide design and construction engineering services to alleviate these issues. The ballast fouling solution and the rehabilitation strategy required extensive work and included significant structural rehabilitation of the Diversion Channel rail crossing.
Rail Line Enhancements:
- Replacement of sediment clogged aggregate
- Replacement of many wooden railroad ties
- Replacement of a large number of piling
- Placement of additional ballast for an average 3-foot increase in elevation of the rail line
- Repairs to the bridge deck and ballast railing
This elevation raise allowed for re-establishing track gauge and alignment and results in the tracks staying “in the dry” for all but the most severe (and infrequent) river flooding. BFW completed this project which met the requirements of the AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering, Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority Performance Specifications, and Missouri Standard Specifications for Highway Construction. BFW is proud to have contributed to the enhancement and increased resilience of the SEMO Port rail line.