July 28, 2023 - TRA Newswire - 

A newly constructed BNSF Railway bridge over the Trinity River near downtown Fort Worth is another milestone in the railroad's ambitious efforts to add double-tracking on segments from Fort Worth all the way to Temple, Texas.

The bridge, which is now open for freight and passenger trains, is the first of two planned to span the Trinity River. The second track will be built after the team demolishes a 126-year-old steel bridge. Expected completion is early 2024.

“We are excited about the increased capacity this bridge project will bring, which will help support the tremendous future growth expected in Texas and the Gulf Coast region,” said Jon Gabriel, VP of Service Design for BNSF. “These new bridges have been designed to meet the future rail needs of our region and enhance service for our customers.”

Constructed with steel spans and nearly 2,000 tons of concrete, the new bridge weighs more than 5,500 tons and stretches more than 1,300 feet.

Close coordination with the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) helped move the project along while maintaining bicyclist and pedestrian access along the Trinity River.

“We recognize the Trinity River is a prized centerpiece of DFW, and we are committed to ensuring our infrastructure improvements also consider the needs of our community,” Gabriel said. “We appreciate TRWD’s cooperation in our efforts throughout design and construction and are looking forward to this new bridge supporting greater supply chain efficiency.”

Photo credit: BNSF Railway