Amtrak Northend Electrification Project

Connecticut, Rhode Island & Massachusetts

KEY DESIGN ELEMENT:

Special Foundation & Structural Design

Project Description:

Commonwealth Engineers & Consultants, Inc.    was retained to design and prepare contract drawings, specifications and estimates for various elements pertaining to the AMTRAK Northeast Electrification Project throughout the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.  The design tasks include:

• Specialized foundation design and catenary support portals at the Boston Terminal.

• Design of the gantry support system at the New London substation.

• Design of catenary support at the Boston Terminal Station.

• Structural capacity analysis for approximately 100 bridges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts due to Electrification attachment loads.

The foundation and portals supporting the electrification catenary system at the Boston South Station were designed for the freezing and thawing loads and movements resulting from the artificial ground freezing of the Central Artery Tunnel construction.

The gantry support system at the New London substation consisted of drilled shaft design within the restrictive constraints of the sight, including right-of-way and excessively steep railroad embankment.

Drilled shaft support system - New London Gantry