SOGR Design for the Rehabilitation of Amtrak Bridge No. 8.50A, 8.50B & 8.50C (Dock Bridge)

Opened in 1935, the Dock Bridge is a vertical lift bridge that crosses the Passaic River at Newark, NJ. The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) intends to convert the Dock Bridge to a fixed bridge to reduce delays on Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH), NJ TRANSIT, and Amtrak trains. Garg’s scope of work included providing 650VDC Traction Power (TP) design services for the work described in Amtrak’s RFP to accommodate the permanent fixation of Bridge 8.50B in the closed position.

Garg Consulting Services, Inc. (Garg) provided designs for the decommissioning and removal of the movable bridge TP components for both Tracks G and H on which the PATH trains run. Garg’s designs provide for the reconnection or replacement of all necessary components of the 650VDC TP system necessary for train movement on the bridge for both Tracks G and H.

Garg provided traction power design services for this project. Project tasks included, but were not limited to:

• Visiting the site to survey the existing site conditions and document the existing TP system within the project limits. Garg took inventory, photographs, and measurements of the existing TP substations and equipment to use as the basis of the design.
• 30%, 60%, 90%, and Final (100%) Design Submission – Garg prepared the TP design report, TP design plans, TP technical specifications, and TP construction cost estimate in accordance with Amtrak’s Design Guidelines.
• The Amtrak commissioning plan included the testing and commissioning of DC positive feeders and negative return testing and full 650VDC system functional testing (without trains and with trains accelerating/decelerating), observing the protective relaying on Switching Substations SS9 and S10 in the event of overcurrent, close/remote short, etc.
• Attending design review meetings.

• Construction Phase Services including bid document addenda, responding to RFIs, etc.