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© 2025 Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute is a research and education center at North Dakota State University.
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MPC |
| Title: | Effects of Environmental Exposure on Timber Railroad Bridge/Track Members and Connectors |
| Principal Investigators: | Richard M. Gutkowski and Don Radford |
| University: | Colorado State University |
| Status: | Completed |
| Year: | 2000 |
| Project #: | MPC-194 |
This project promotes the maintenance of effective, efficient railroad services to small communities. The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is the national industry association representing the numerous member railroads. The research is consistent with a targeted program of research in the AAR to address the state of its timber railroad bridges, nationwide. Concern for viability of the railroad bridges is high as safety issues add to the concerns of a recent history of short line closures. The impact of railroad bridge failures or closures on intermodal freight movement can be devastating to local, state and regional agricultural and freight economies.
By helping to upgrade railroad bridges on main lines and short lines, the programmed research will contribute to the effective transport of agricultural goods and freight throughout the region and country. Without attention to them, some railroad bridges will remain deficient for current loads and others, which are nominally safe will only worsen. The safety concerns are evident as are the potential negative economic consequences of potential railroad bridge closures or, worse, failures. Even one main line bridge failure could be a crisis situation locally and regionally and national fears.
