Guidelines on Projects with Overpasses

  1. Make sure the drain
     slots are blocked over the railroad right of way and
    ensure the
     proposed bridge will not increase the
    volume of water
     or change the drainage flow to the railroad right of way.
  2. Roadway grades, widths of lanes,
    width of
     shoulders and medians are shown.
  3. Fencing provided over railroad right of way, or if not, an explanation is provided in the DCRG. Fence needed on bridge if gap is greater than 2 feet between structures Note: Fencing is not typically provided unless there are pedestrian elements on the bridge, a rail yard or rail switch is beneath bridge, or there is a history of vandalism in the area.
    Refer to the individual railroad company current grade separation guidelines.
  4. Splashboard provided on barrier if bridge is in area where snow blower could blow snow onto railroad right of way.
  5. Lighting provided over tracks, but in a location where changing bulbs is easier and vertical clearance is not reduced (i.e., not directly over tracks). Electrical service
    needs to be
     located on TxDOT right of way. Lighting required when bridge covers 80 feet of track or more, with distance measured along the track.
  6. Access provided to all adjacent property owners in proposed facility.
  7. Any right of way preparation work (removing trees, etc.) on railroad right of way identified.
  8. Any temporary at-grade crossings or haul roads shown, including planking work by railroad company. Temporary at-grade crossings should restrict access by the public by locked fence or other means.
  9. Hike and bike access provided on bridge if needed.
  10. Any railroad cantilever and flashing light and gates under bridge will not hit bridge.
  11. Highway stationing shown.
  12. Bridge
     National Bridge Inventory (NBI) number shown if available.
  13. Railroad access road shown (if needed).
  14. Distance between dual structures shown.
  15. Crash walls shown,
    and (if railroads require) guard rail installed by railroad on the track
     if center of any existing or future track is closer than 25 feet to face of column.
  16. Note included to stencil in DOT number and railroad milepost on BNSF structures. Note clarifies that BNSF will maintain.
  17. Dimensions shown from centerline of rail (both existing and future tracks) to face of footings and columns.
  18. Permanent vertical clearance at least
    23-foot 4 inch
     minimum for UPRR
    and 23-foot 6 inch
     for BNSF and
    CPKC
    . Must be shown from edge of railroad right of way to edge of railroad right of way, with point of minimum vertical clearance identified.
  19. Minimum temporary vertical
    per individual railroad company grade separation guideline
    .
  20. Future tracks shown at 20-foot centers. A future track may be shown on both sides of existing track at same elevation as existing track if no other information available.
  21. All bents and abutments are off railroad right of way. If this is not true, an explanation is provided in the DCRG, including how far design elements encroach into railroad right of way.
  22. For any demolition,
    such as removing a pier in railroad right of way, specify the
     distance below ground of the structural element that must be removed. (UPRR and
    CPKC
     prefer 3 feet below finished grade and 2 feet below base of rail, whichever is lower; BNSF prefers 3 feet below finished grade and 3 feet below base of rail, whichever is lower.)
  23. Plan details match information provided in the DCRG.
  24. Rail survey provided for all tracks under the overpass.