Norfolk Southern Railway Bridge

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, a critical piece of infrastructure was severely damaged: a Norfolk Southern Railway bridge in Newport, Tennessee. The destruction of the bridge over the Pigeon River not only halted rail traffic but also disrupted a vital connection between Cocke County and Western North Carolina, leaving the local community without a sense of normalcy. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the rebuilding effort was initiated as an emergency project, demanding an incredibly rapid response from all partners involved.

Veritas Steel emerged as a key player in this monumental effort, tasked with fabricating the structural steel components for the full bridge replacement. The company rose to the challenge with record speed, commencing production on December 20th and beginning on-site delivery just over two months later on February 23rd, and finished on March 13th. This swift turnaround was critical to the project’s success. The team was responsible for fabricating and delivering a total of 24 girders, a crucial part of the bridge’s new structure. These girders, with a web depth of 7′-8” and a total depth of 8′-0” including the flange, were organized into three full shop assemblies, one for each of the bridge’s three spans.

The scale of the project was significant, with a planned weight of 705,720 lbs. Each of the three spans measured approximately 106 feet, with eight girders per span. The successful completion of this project was not just a technical accomplishment; it was a deeply meaningful event for the community. News outlets from Knoxville to Asheville highlighted the restoration, describing the reopening of the railway line as a moment that brought a “sense of normalcy” and “hope” back to the area. The collective efforts of Norfolk Southern and their partners, including Veritas Steel, resulted in a swift and effective repair that reconnected a community and a region.