SLOPE STABILIZATION AND ENHANCEMENTS NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD COMPANY NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILWAY COMPANY WOOD ENVIRONMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS, INC

摘要

North Carolina Railroad (NCRR) runs through High Point, North Carolina (City). The railroad is operated and maintained by Norfolk Southern Railway (NSR). Originally constructed by NCRR at street level in the 1850s, the tracks were lowered in 1939 to separate existing grade crossings. Since the track lowering, storm water directed toward the railroad cut combined with rodents contributed to major degradation of existing slopes. This negatively impacted the aesthetics of the area and created maintenance problems. In 2013, the City approached NCRR, proposing to improve the condition of the railroad slopes The City took on street level drainage improvements, while NCRR and NSR were tasked with development, design and construction of the slope stabilization project. NSR brought on Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. (Wood) to perform design services. Several stabilization schemes were considered focusing on increased slope stability, constructability, and aesthetics. Ultimately, a pile and lagging panel wall with riprap slopes was chosen for construction. The City also completed storm water collection improvements at street level. The unique partnership formed to fund and construct a project of this size while balancing varying priorities of City government, a railroad corridor owner and a Class I railroad operator makes this project a case study in collaboration in major railroad maintenance improvements.