About this Project

The Howellville Road Bridge Replacement project addressed the need to replace a structurally deficient, orphaned bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railway in Tredyffrin Township. Initially built in 1879, the single-span wrought-iron Warren truss bridge was rated as being in “poor” condition under FHWA inspection standards, posing safety and accessibility challenges. The new bridge was designed to retain the historic aesthetic of the original structure while incorporating modern safety features, wider shoulders, and improved pedestrian access. The project required close coordination with Norfolk Southern to meet vertical clearance requirements and minimize disruption to rail operations. The original bridge was relocated to Tioga County for future reuse as part of a pedestrian trail project.

AEG supported the project with comprehensive surveying services during the preliminary and final design phases. Our team established a base control using GPS and calibrated vertical benchmarks, developed a closed-loop traverse corrected for closure, and generated baseline stationing to locate ground features precisely. Cross-section surveys were conducted to capture the bridge’s geometry, utilities, and drainage elements. AEG also conducted a detailed railroad survey, locating top rails at 25-foot intervals over a 200-foot stretch of track and mapping features beneath the bridge from the track bed. Safety training and coordination with railroad flagmen were managed in accordance with Norfolk Southern’s protocols. Certified letters were sent to adjoining property owners to inform them of the site’s access requirements. AEG’s work ensured the accurate collection of data and the safe execution of this technically complex replacement project.