New Trinity River BNSF Railway Bridge in Texas now open
BNSF Railway recently marked a significant milestone in its double track project in North Texas, as the first train crossed over the newly constructed Trinity River bridge near downtown Fort Worth earlier this month.
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.
The bridge construction is part of BNSF’s multi-year effort to add double-track segments from Fort Worth to Temple, Texas.
“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.”
