Berkshire Line Track Improvement – Phase III

Rail/Transit, Rail
Bid Build
Sheffield, MA
Massachusetts Department of Transportation

The Middlesex Corporation installed ~8.4 track miles of 136RE CWR from approximately MP50 to MP59.

Work included the installation of one new turnout, replacement of two existing turnouts, replacement of five private/farm crossings, surfacing and aligning of ~8.7 miles of track, in addition to spot cross-tie replacement and spot ditching.

Middlesex installed new bridge timbers on three bridges, clean and applied corrosion protection on top flanges of steel members prior to new timber installation, repaired anchorage repairs at, installed new walkways, and repaired existing bearing pedestals and anchor bolts. The work includes replacing five existing culverts, cleaning six existing culverts and the removal of trees near the existing culverts.

By the Numbers

88.4K LF
CWR

11
Culvert Cleaning/Replacement

45.7K TF
Ballasting & Surfacing

209
Bridge Timber Replacement

4
Bridge Repair & Rehabilitation

3
Special Trackwork

792
Spot Tie Replacement

5
Grade Crossings

7.6K LF
Spot Ditching

3.16K LF
Destress Existing CWR

$7.3M
Project Value

Scope of Work
  • CWR installation
  • Insulated joint replacement
  • Turnout replacement/installation
  • Bridge timber replacement
  • Rail crossing replacement
  • Spot tie replacement
  • Track surfacing
  • Culvert replacement/cleaning
Unique Challenges
  • Single line working limits
  • Track must be handed back into service at the end of each workday
  • Extreme winter weather conditions
  • Remote access and limited job locations