ABSTRACT
Superstructure erection is the culmination of a process that commences with planning and proceeds through design and fabrication. Constructability must be considered in the planning, design, and fabrication stages of bridge projects in order to achieve cost- and schedule-effective construction. Construction safety is paramount in the railroad industry that is keenly focused on industrial, employee, and public safety. Erection planning involves the use of engineering and scheduling principles to establish the methods and procedures for safe and efficient execution of the superstructure erection. The erection contractor must first establish an erection methodology. The erection methods and procedures will depend on erection scope, site characteristics, schedule, and resource requirements. Minimizing interference with trains during erection is crucial and, therefore, schedule is of paramount importance in the planning of erection methods and procedures for steel railway superstructures. Superstructure erection by crane is the most commonly used method of construction.
