--- title: Trinity Railway Express Crossing Trinity River | HVJ Associates description: See how we've provided foundation design, deep foundations, retaining walls, slope stability and other geotechnical engineering services for infrastructure projects. image: https://www.hvj.com/hubfs/Main%20Picture%20One.jpg --- [![HVJ Logo](https://www.hvj.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HVJ%20logo_141x71.png?width=110&height=71&name=HVJ%20logo_141x71.png "HVJ Logo")](https://www.hvj.com/?hsLang=en) ** [ Let's talk ](https://www.hvj.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) ** ** Geotechnical Engineering Soil, rock, and groundwater conditions at every site are different. We assess the specific site conditions and design earth structures (slopes, channels, and dikes), foundations (retaining walls, bridges, buildings, tanks), and subsurface structures (clarifiers, lift stations, buried utilities, tunnels) to economically achieve the specific project objectives. Learn More → Construction Materials Engineering & Testing Construction material performance is key to the function and durability of any project. We engineer and test materials such as soil, concrete, and asphalt so you get what you pay for and the project performs as expected.     Learn More → Civil/Pavement Engineering A successful project starts with clear understanding of the project’s specific needs. We prepared street rehabilitation PS&E, traffic control designs, pavement designs, and asset management systems based on careful understanding of design requirements.   Learn More → Environmental Geology & Engineering Impact from hazardous waste, wetlands, faulting, and/or NEPA processes are serious concerns for project development. We identify such concerns early in project development, and provide strategies to mitigate impacts and provide the proper regulatory approval so the project can proceed on time and achieve the project goals. Learn More → Roads & Bridges Congestion and failing road surfaces cause delays, vehicle damage, and even driver safety issues. Solving these problems requires our specialized knowledge of pavement and roadway structures. Learn More → Water, Wastewater & Flood Control Drinking water, flushing toilets, and dry streets for granted – until they are gone. We specialize in keeping these systems running effectively. Learn More → Airports, Ports & Dredging Expanding and maintaining ports and airports is crucial to our economic development. HVJ’s specialized pavement, wharf, and navigation channel experience makes it happen. Learn More → Rail & Transit Rail and public transit facilities enable efficient transportation of people and goods. Our detailed knowledge of AREMA requirements keeps projects on track. Learn More → Buildings & Parks Schools, universities, courts, parks, solid waste facilities are all critical to our society. HVJ has specialized knowledge and experience with a multitude of public projects. Learn More → [About Us](https://go.hvj.com/about-us?hsLang=en) [News & Resources](https://www.hvj.com/blog?hsLang=en) [Locations](https://www.hvj.com/all-locations?hsLang=en) [Partners](https://www.hvj.com/partners?hsLang=en) HVJ Difference Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive. Learn More → Culture We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results. Learn More → Benefits We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits. Learn More → Employee Stories Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project. Learn More → Current Openings We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams. Learn More → The Opportunity Own a successful engineering business by adding our proven systems to your engineering talent and network. Learn More → How It Works Help us branchise – you help us build a branch office and then convert it into your own franchise. Learn More → Who's A Fit? Are you energetic and confident? See if this might be an opportunity that fits you. Learn More → FAQs What do you want to know?  Find the answers to common questions. Learn More → Success Stories Hear about the outstanding results our current franchisees have produced using our proven systems. Learn More → [![HVJ Logo](https://www.hvj.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HVJ%20logo_141x71.png?width=110&height=71&name=HVJ%20logo_141x71.png "HVJ Logo")](https://www.hvj.com/?hsLang=en) ** [ Let's talk ](https://www.hvj.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) ** ** Geotechnical Engineering Soil, rock, and groundwater conditions at every site are different. We assess the specific site conditions and design earth structures (slopes, channels, and dikes), foundations (retaining walls, bridges, buildings, tanks), and subsurface structures (clarifiers, lift stations, buried utilities, tunnels) to economically achieve the specific project objectives. Learn More → Construction Materials Engineering & Testing Construction material performance is key to the function and durability of any project. We engineer and test materials such as soil, concrete, and asphalt so you get what you pay for and the project performs as expected.     Learn More → Civil/Pavement Engineering A successful project starts with clear understanding of the project’s specific needs. We prepared street rehabilitation PS&E, traffic control designs, pavement designs, and asset management systems based on careful understanding of design requirements.   Learn More → Environmental Geology & Engineering Impact from hazardous waste, wetlands, faulting, and/or NEPA processes are serious concerns for project development. We identify such concerns early in project development, and provide strategies to mitigate impacts and provide the proper regulatory approval so the project can proceed on time and achieve the project goals. Learn More → Roads & Bridges Congestion and failing road surfaces cause delays, vehicle damage, and even driver safety issues. Solving these problems requires our specialized knowledge of pavement and roadway structures. Learn More → Water, Wastewater & Flood Control Drinking water, flushing toilets, and dry streets for granted – until they are gone. We specialize in keeping these systems running effectively. Learn More → Airports, Ports & Dredging Expanding and maintaining ports and airports is crucial to our economic development. HVJ’s specialized pavement, wharf, and navigation channel experience makes it happen. Learn More → Rail & Transit Rail and public transit facilities enable efficient transportation of people and goods. Our detailed knowledge of AREMA requirements keeps projects on track. Learn More → Buildings & Parks Schools, universities, courts, parks, solid waste facilities are all critical to our society. HVJ has specialized knowledge and experience with a multitude of public projects. Learn More → [About Us](https://go.hvj.com/about-us?hsLang=en) [News & Resources](https://www.hvj.com/blog?hsLang=en) [Locations](https://www.hvj.com/all-locations?hsLang=en) [Partners](https://www.hvj.com/partners?hsLang=en) HVJ Difference Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive. Learn More → Culture We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results. Learn More → Benefits We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits. Learn More → Employee Stories Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project. Learn More → Current Openings We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams. Learn More → Agencies HVJ has been proud to support hundreds of public agencies meet and exceed service expectations from their constituents.  Learn More → Consultant Clients We’ve developed ongoing teaming relationships with many consulting firms based on delivering outstanding client satisfaction. Learn More → Providers Our success strongly depends on our business associates that provide the products and services we need. Learn More → HVJ Difference Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive. Learn More → Culture We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results. Learn More → Benefits We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits. Learn More → Employee Stories Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project. Learn More → Current Openings We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams. Learn More → The Opportunity Own a successful engineering business by adding our proven systems to your engineering talent and network. Learn More → How It Works Help us branchise – you help us build a branch office and then convert it into your own franchise. Learn More → Who's A Fit? Are you energetic and confident? See if this might be an opportunity that fits you. Learn More → FAQs What do you want to know?  Find the answers to common questions. Learn More → Success Stories Hear about the outstanding results our current franchisees have produced using our proven systems. Learn More → Search **Menu** ** ** [![Let's Talk](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/5496911/6233d0db-c76c-4678-9152-08331c17b6f1.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/5496911/6233d0db-c76c-4678-9152-08331c17b6f1) ![Trinity Railway Express Crossing Trinity During Construction](https://www.hvj.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Main%20Picture%20One.jpg?width=577&name=Main%20Picture%20One.jpg "Trinity Railway Express Crossing Trinity During Construction") # Responsiveness to Resolve Issues during Design and Construction Avoids Delays. ## Project Background **Trinity Railway Express Crossing Trinity River** Trinity Railway Express (TRE) offers premier commuter rail service between Fort Worth and Dallas.  The existing section between I-35W and Sylvania Avenue in Fort Worth has been a single-track section, which crosses the Trinity River on a narrow 764-foot-long bridge that was constructed in 1903. This section is used not only by TRE commuter trains, but also Amtrak, Union Pacific, and BNSF freight trains. The age of the bridge, and the standards by which it was designed and constructed, require frequent inspection, monitoring, and maintenance to keep the bridge in service. Additionally, the bridge necessitates reduced speeds and stops for freight trains, causing delays to passenger trains.  To resolve the issues, TRE needed to rehabilitate the existing historic Trinity River Bridge and add a second track. ### **Practice:** Geotechnical Engineering ### **Sector****:** Rail ### **Location:** Fort Worth, Texas ### **Services:** Foundation Design, Deep Foundations, Retaining Walls, Slope Stability ![Trinity Railway Express Wall During Construciton](https://www.hvj.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Picture%20Two_The%20Wall2.jpg?width=1421&name=Picture%20Two_The%20Wall2.jpg "Trinity Railway Express Wall During Construciton") ## The Problem The new bridge had was located very close to the existing bridge.  A complication was that no drawings survived of the existing bridge foundations.  Our challenge was to determine a suitable foundation that could be constructed within the right-of-way and adjacent to the existing bridge piers without interference from existing foundations.  Also, the choice of retaining wall system was a challenge due to right-of-way limitations. Continuous heavy rain events impacted the retaining wall subgrade soils, making maintaining the construction schedule a unique challenge during construction. ## The Goal Provide geotechnical design and construction solutions to be able to build the track within limited Right-of-Way and schedule constraints. ## The Solution HVJ conducted a geophysical study to identify the limits of the existing foundation and mapped it in a 3-D model.  The clearance distance and the penetration depth was determined of the new 10-foot diameter mono-shafts so as not to impact the existing foundations during construction.  Also, since the mono-shafts are offshore in the river, the design team required the use of casing and thermal integrity testing to ensure the integrity of the drilled shafts. HVJ also worked closely with the design team and determined T-Walls were appropriate retaining wall structures within the limited Right-of-Way.  Since the project involved double tracks, HVJ performed global stability and external stability analyses considering multiple loading scenarios with and without train loads on single and double tracks.  Track location in relation to the wall face was very critical as it helped with stability analysis in some cases, and it reduced stability in others. HVJ conducted multiple iterations to determine the required wall stem length to meet stability requirements. During construction, continuous heavy rain events impacted the wall subgrade soils.  Additionally, since the track was "live," and we had a limited ability to shut down the track, we worked with DGR and White Hawk Engineering to create a solution for the wall without interrupting service.  The solution included removing and replacing subgrade soils with a flexible base reinforced with geogrids, and using staged construction to finish building the wall to its full height to keep the project on schedule. ** "HVJ provided the technology and knowledge to determine the extent and condition of the foundation below the surface, which provided the confidence in locating and constructing the second bridge as close as possible to the existing.  HVJ was prompt in its investigation of the site. After heavy rains deluged the area, they were able to determine a solution that provided the soil stabilization required using resources readily available.  A win-win for the project and project team!" **Diane Gollhofer** DGR Consultants Share this story [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Ftrinity-railway-express-crossing-trinity-river%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Ftrinity-railway-express-crossing-trinity-river%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Ftrinity-railway-express-crossing-trinity-river%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Ftrinity-railway-express-crossing-trinity-river%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Trinity%20Railway%20Express%20Crossing%20Trinity%20River%20%7C%20HVJ%20Associates) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Ftrinity-railway-express-crossing-trinity-river%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Ftrinity-railway-express-crossing-trinity-river%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) #### HVJ Associates, Inc. 6120 S. 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