PATCO Track Rehabilitation across the Ben Franklin Bridge Project

Thank you to our November Meeting Sponsors!

Joint meeting with MASITE.

Mike Venuto from the DRPA will be presenting the PATCO Track Rehabilitation across the Ben Franklin Bridge Project.  

New Location:  Caffe Aldo Lamberti (2011 ROUTE 70 WEST CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002) (FOR GPS: PLEASE USE 2011 MARLTON PIKE WEST)

Program:   

5:00 PM - Cocktail Hour

6:00 PM - Dinner

7:00 PM - Presentation  

Project Information:  PATCO Track Rehabilitation across the Ben Franklin Bridge Project

The DRPA has undertaken a multi-year, $103 million project to replace the entire track system on the Ben Franklin Bridge to keep the PATCO system in good repair.  Rehabilitation of the track structure includes replacement of wood ties and running rails as well as demolition and construction of the concrete direct fixation components at the anchorages and Philadelphia abutments. Structural repairs include rehabilitation and/or replacement of the supporting concrete beams, steel stringers and associated bracing elements, including lead paint abatement, blast cleaning steel and application of a 3-coat paint system.

A significant number of system elements will be replaced, including:

• Signal, power and communications cable
• 80 new signal, communication and electrical enclosures
• 8,878 bridge timber ties and 6 miles of welded rails
• 180 tons of new steel will be used in the rehabilitation
• 1,300 feet of new rail in the Camden yard will be installed

The competing priorities of providing safe and reliable service to PATCO customers and the need to complete the track replacement project in a timely manner required a balanced approach, with well-orchestrated construction staging.

Speaker:  Mike Venuto, P.E. PLS

Michael Venuto, is a dedicated public service employee at the DRPA for 15 years, starting as a Senior Engineer in December 2000, rising to Chief Engineer in February 2010. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Rutgers University, a MBA from Lehigh University and a Bachelor of Science in Surveying Engineering Technology from New Jersey Institute of Technology. Michael is a licensed Professional Engineer and licensed Professional Land Surveyor in the State of New Jersey. He is also a member of the New Jersey Society of Professional Land Surveyors, American Society of Civil Engineers and the Engineers’ Club of Philadelphia.