[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 69 (Tuesday, June 7, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AUTHORITY RAILWORKS 
                                PROJECT

 Mr. WOFFORD. Mr. President, I am pleased today to recognize 
the achievement of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Authority [SEPTA]. The 
American Society of Civil Engineers recently conferred its 1994 
Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award of Merit on SEPTA's 
railworks project. The society's annual award recognizes engineering 
projects that demonstrate outstanding skill and innovative contribution 
to the field of civil engineering. And SEPTA's giant undertaking of 
rehabilitating Philadelphia's rail lines while providing outstanding 
commuter and environment friendly service is worthy of such an honor.
  I congratulate SEPTA for its excellence in engineering, its continued 
dedication to improving the lives of Pennsylvanians, and I ask that the 
following statement from the American Society of Civil Engineers be 
included in the Record.
  The statement follows:

         Philadelphia's SEPTA Railworks Wins Engineering Award

       Washington, May 6, 1994.--The American Society of Civil 
     Engineers (ASCE) confers its 1994 Outstanding Civil 
     Engineering Achievement (OCEA) Award of Merit on the 
     Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) 
     Railworks project. SEPTA Railworks replaced or rehabilitated 
     25 bridges along the main commuter rail line in Philadelphia, 
     enhancing an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly 
     transportation resource while minimizing disruption to 
     commuter service and surrounding neighborhoods.
       The annual OCEA awards recognize engineering projects that 
     demonstrate outstanding engineering skills and represent 
     innovative contributions to civil engineering and human 
     progress. An ASCE judging panel selected SEPTA Railworks, one 
     or 17 nominees, for one of three Awards of Merit.
       Replacing a series of badly-deteriorated bridges on a 
     critical commuter railway in a densely-populated urban area 
     presented daunting challenges: it was the largest engineering 
     and construction effort ever undertaken by SEPTA; more than 
     100 separate entities would have to be coordinate to 
     accomplish the work; 90,000 daily riders would suffer major 
     disruptions in rail service; new bridge construction would 
     occur in close proximity to homes and businesses; and time 
     available to do the work was severely limited.
       SEPTA chose a bold approach: it shut down all railroad 
     operations within the affected five-mile section for two 
     periods totalling ten months in duration. During the 
     shutdowns, construction continued 24 hours per day for over 
     eight months. Due to meticulous engineering, hard work and 
     effective coordination, rail operations resumed on schedule 
     after both stoppages. Despite the frenzied pace, the 
     estimated final construction cost of almost $140 million is 
     more than $7 million below budget.
       In addition to the complete replacement of 20 bridges and 
     substantial rehabilitation of five others, the Railworks 
     project included several enhancements of the railway 
     infrastructure. SEPTA reduced truck curvatures and installed 
     continuously welded rail to make possible smoother rides at 
     higher speeds. Two new handicap-accessible stations were 
     constructed. And new signal and switching systems will reduce 
     train delays.
       The Railworks project team adopted the motto ``Building New 
     Connections'' to highlight its commitment to achieve 
     engineering and construction success while maintaining social 
     responsibility and community involvement. SEPTA offered 
     numerous construction contracts to maximize participation of 
     local firms. Construction Planning continuously evaluated the 
     impact of operations on local residents. And the project 
     diligently pursued the goals of providing jobs for local 
     residents, keeping the community informed of operations, and 
     assisting in resolution of problems when they occurred.
       In addition to its internal engineering staff, SEPTA 
     employed the services of Gannett Fleming Transportation 
     Engineers and Planners and STV/Sanders and Thomas as design 
     consultants, and O'Brien-Kreitzberg & Associates as 
     construction manager.
       Founded in 1852, ASCE represents more than 115,000 civil 
     engineers and is America's oldest national engineering 
     society.

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