Train Station Progresses With Big Lift

While most residents were getting ready for bed last Tuesday night, some heavy lifting was taking place at the Branford train station.

For the past few weeks, the area in front of the station has looked like someone was playing with an erector set. The components make up the south stair/elevator tower and bridge that will be installed as part of the two-way platform system to accommodate the two separate railroad tracks serving southbound and northbound Shore Line East commuter trains. 

Work on the tracks has been underway for some time, and the lifting and installation of south tower took place Tuesday night.

It was a tricky process, governed by the train schedule because the lift was taking place close to the power lines. So power had to be cut for safety and supervisors from Amtrak and Rizzo Construction were constantly on the phones, discussing the schedule.

The crane and the bridge itself had been on site for a number of weeks.

However, the components for south tower were brought in Tuesday via flatbed truck.

The Demag truck crane, supplied by Marino Crane Services with an extension of almost 200 feet, first lifted the tower (which was in two pieces) off the flatbed and laid it horizontally on the ground.

Then, with the crane’s boom almost fully extended into the night sky, the tower was slowly lifted to its vertical position.

An accompanying section was also lifted to an upright position.

Later, once the go-ahead was received to shut down the power, the tower would be lifted again and swung over to its platform a few dozen feet away.

The top photo shows a view from the Kirkham Street bridge late Tuesday night, once the tower components were in place.

Everything was in place by around 3:30 – 4 a.m., in time for the power to be restored to the tracks for the morning commute. 

Rizzo Superintendent Aldo Addario explained that the process would be repeated in about three weeks for the north tower after site work was completed. Finally the bridge connecting the two towers would be lifted into place.

Addario (right) and Rizzo Project Manager Ken Hunt discussed the job Tuesday afternoon.

Ron Cassella, vice president of construction and operations at Rizzo, further explained that work for the canopy’s platform will begin next week. Steel beams will extend across the tracks and precast planks will be laid. Then steel will be set for the north side. The bridge itself will be installed in about a month, he said.

Cassella said the entire project is expected to be completed in the spring. The Branford train station will have the same configuration as the train station in Guilford. He said the total cost for both would be under $10 million.

Commuters heading to the train station Wednesday morning were greeted by a different landscape.

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