Rail bridge open for traffic
The new BNSF rail bridge over Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho (USA) has now been completed. It was opened to trains this week. The new bridge is 1,485 m long and comprises 49 spans and 224 precast concrete girders. The added bridge will reduce congestion and help move freight more efficiently, BNSF said.
Currently, because BNSF’s mainline track merges with Montana Rail Link, there is often a bottleneck of multiple trains needing to access the single track to get across the lake.
The full bridge project will not be completed until summer 2023, as the class I railway takes the opportunity to perform some maintenance work on the existing bridge which opened in 1904. Until then, all trains will use the new bridge. (ben)
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