PATCO Hi-Speed Line Biennial Inspections

About The Project

RVE was selected as the prime consultant to perform the PATCO Biennial Inspection. The last round in 2018 included five highway bridges and an additional 25 railroad bridges. Among the services provided include overseeing engineering services for the Biennial Inspection of the PATCO High Speed Line. Walk-through and visual inspections were made of the passenger stations, buildings, parking lots, viaducts, tunnels, and pedestrian access structures. Once field inspections were completed, the findings were compiled in a report. Defects were noted and repair recommendations made and submitted to the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA). The drainage system, retaining walls, earth embankments, and right-of-way fence were also visually inspected. The vehicle and railroad bridges were inspected and appraised based on National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) and Combined Inspection System (CombIS) criteria and associated guidelines. Because we were ahead of the project schedule, RVE was able to conduct two additional tasks under the contract. This included updating the bridge load ratings for the six vehicular bridges over PATCO from Load Factor Rating (LRF) to Load Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) as required by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). We also conducted reflectivity testing and took inventory of all traffic signs within the station parking lots. This task provided an inventory, including location of signs under the DRPA’s jurisdiction, identifying signs necessary to be replaced to meet Federal Highway Authority’s (FHWA) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) requirements.