Tank Hill Overpass Replacement

Following the devastating 2021 Atmospheric River event, the at-grade crossing over the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) rail line along Highway 1 was completely washed out, severing a critical transportation link in the region.

KWH Constructors was engaged to deliver the replacement steel superstructure—an overpass designed to restore long-term resiliency while maintaining uninterrupted rail and highway operations. The new structure consists of three lines of steel trapezoidal tub girders, forming a robust multi-span overpass system over the active railway corridor.

Erection operations were executed using a combination of heavy lift equipment, providing the capacity and reach required for complex lifts within a constrained site environment:

• Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 all-terrain crane for primary heavy lifts
• Liebherr LR 1600-2 crawler crane for tandem lift operations
• Liebherr LTM 1130 assist crane supporting sub-assembly activities
• Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) for positioning girder assemblies over the active rail line

For the critical spans crossing the active railway, SPMT units were utilized to safely transport and position girder assemblies, minimizing disruption to ongoing rail operations and ensuring precise placement. Final installation of the steel trapezoidal tub girders was completed through tandem lift operations using the LTM 1650-8.1 and LR 1600-2, allowing for controlled handling and accurate setting of the assemblies within the constrained rail corridor.

All work over the rail line was closely coordinated with CPKC and executed within tightly controlled track closure windows, requiring precise planning, sequencing, and adherence to strict railway operational constraints.

To facilitate erection of the remaining plate girder spans, KWH deployed its purpose-built, in-house high-capacity shoring tower system, strategically installed and cycled through seven separate locations. This systematic approach enabled efficient sequencing of the additional spans while maintaining structural stability and optimizing site productivity.

This project demonstrates KWH Constructors’ capability to deliver complex infrastructure solutions under challenging conditions, combining innovative erection methodologies with detailed planning to successfully restore a vital transportation corridor.