American Railway Development Association - December 2017 Newsletter

THE ARDA NEWSLETTER

December 2017

Economic Development Section Feature
The Portageville High Bridge Replacement Project

Carmen M. Garozzo

National Practice Leader - Rail Infrastructure
Bergmann Associates

Constructed in 1851, the original Portageville Bridge was 800 feet in length and stood 234 feet above the Genesee River. It was the largest and longest timber structure in the world, before it was destroyed by fire in 1875.

The replacement bridge was constructed and placed in service in only 85 days after the fire. The tower spans were replaced in 1903 and in 1940 the tower legs were reinforced. The bridge is located in Letchworth State Park and stands above a waterfall. The park area near the bridge is known as the Grand Canyon of the East due to the deep gorge and three closely spaced waterfalls.

The replacement of this structure started in late 2015 and was completed in October of 2017. The new structure will feature a 483 foot steel arch spanning over the Genesee River Gorge with foundations of the arch structure built into the gorge walls. The arch span will be equally flanked on both sides by three 80 foot long approach spans and are supported by large concrete piers that are up to 50 feet tall.

The last train on the old structure and the first train on the new structure is scheduled to take place in early December of 2017.

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Register for the 2018 Executive Forum!

For 2018, ARDA will be focusing our effort and events around the theme of "Building on Our Foundation." This theme reflects the long history of the railroad industry and our aim to look at future opportunities that take advantage of our current position and strengths. Our first event is the 2018 Executive Forum in Savannah, GA, from February 8-9, 2018 which will be held at the Charles H. Morris Center. In addition to our educational program highlighting timely issues within the railroad industry, the Forum will include a tour of the Port of Savannah on Thursday, February 8, followed by a networking reception downtown.

Registration:

To register for the 2018 Executive Forum please go to this link.

Hotel Block:

We have reserved a room block for Forum attendees at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Savannah Historic District / Riverfront. Rooms in our block can be booked by calling (912) 355-0025 and requesting a room in the "2018 ARDA Executive Forum" block.

Other Information:

More information on the Forum can be found at www.amraildev.com/2018executiveforum.

If you have any questions regarding the 2018 Executive Forum please contact Fred Oelsner at staff@amraildev.com.

Time to Renew Your ARDA Membership for 2018!

If you have not yet renewed your ARDA membership for 2018, please visit our website at www.amraildev.com and log-in at the top right corner of the page.

Your renewed membership allows ARDA to continue fostering the industrial, real estate, natural resources, market development activities and environmental concerns of the North American railroads through the advancement of ideas and education of its members. Members also discounted registration rates at ARDA events, including a $200 discount on the Annual Meeting!

If you are not an ARDA member and would like to join, please visit our registration page .

Sponsor ARDA in 2018

First, thank you to all of ARDA's 2017 sponsors who helped make our Get Connected year, including events in Atlanta and Memphis, such a big success!

2017 ARDA Sponsors

Platinum

Bartlett & West
CSX
Norfolk Southern

Gold

AECOM
BNSF
CN
GEI Consultants
HDR
Kansas City Southern

Silver

Clear Channel Outdoor
Florida East Coast Railway

GHD
JLL
LJA Engineering, Inc.
TerraPact
TRC Solutions

Bronze

Daley Mohan Groble

Halff Associates

Jesco, Inc.

NRCMA

RMI Midwest

W.G. Yates & Sons Contsruction

We hope that we will continue to have your support for our work in 2018. ARDA offers companies the opportunity to sponsor the association on an annual basis, or by specific events at our Annual Meeting and Executive Forum. Multiple levels of Annual Sponsorship are available for your consideration. Corporate commitments greater than $1,000 also include complimentary individual memberships in ARDA.

If you have any questions or would like to sponsor ARDA for 2018 please contact Fred Oelsner at staff@amraildev.com or 202-715-1259 .

Annual ARDA Sponsorships	Amount
Bronze Level	$1,000 - $2,999
Silver Level	$3,000 - $4,999
Gold Level	$5,000 - $7,499
Platinum Level	$7,500+

2017-18 ARDA Board of Directors

President: Gary Rozmus, GEI Consultants
First Vice President: Mark Holder, Bartlett & West, Inc.
Second Vice President: Doug Morrison, Bartlett & West, Inc.
Treasurer: Mike Ray, BNSF Railway Company
Secretary: Devin Sprinkle, CN
Past President: Alan Sisk, Norfolk Southern Corporation

For more information, visit the ARDA website or contact:

ARDA staff at staff@amraildev.com

The American Railway Development Association (ARDA) is a not-for-profit educational trade association founded in 1906 to promote Economic Development, Real Estate Development, Technology, and Environmental Activities of the North American Railroads.

The objectives of the Association are to foster the industrial, real estate, natural resources, market development activities and environmental concerns of the North American railroads; and through the advancement of ideas and education of its members, further promote the effectiveness of railway development and related work .