6. Conclusion
Barnhart recommends off loading the power equipment at the dead end of the RJ Corman track in Ashland City TN. Off-loading at this location will not interfere with any service to other customers served by RJ Corman Railroad. Civil improvements for gantry erection and off loading will be minimal. The primary concern with rail deliveries of the equipment will be the wood truss bridges on RJ Corman tracks between Nashville and Ashland City. Barnhart strongly suggest a clearance file be open as soon as possible to allow RJ Cormans engineers the opportunity to evaluate these bridge structures. This is a CRITICAL HIGH-RISK ISSUE. Transporting from Ashland City to site will require some configuration of a “ DUAL LANE TRANSPORTER ” to cross bridges on Hwy 12. The exact transport configuration can not be determined without hauling application submittal to TNDOT and the others governing authorities.
On similar projects working with TNDOT it has taken 3 to 6 months in collaboration of independent bridge engineering firms to find a solution to crossing these bridges.
Overhead wires and signal arms will also have to be raised along the route, these improvements should be a minimal cost, requiring bucket truck assistance from the local utility, phone, and traffic signal owners. Once off Hwy 12 Barnhart believes the “ Saddie Tree Route ” to be the most viable route due to this route having the fewest turn radius issues. Radius improvements will be required; however, the extent of these improvements can only be estimated once the transport configuration is identified.
The radius improvements will most likely encroach on private property requiring the cooperation and approvals of the landowners.
Tree trimming and line lifting will also be required on the county roads.
These secondary roads will be governed by Cheatham County.
As stated, transferring the power equipment to a SPMT or narrow gage transporter after leaving HW 12 may prove a viable and cost-effective solution. Barnhart did not identify an area to support this type transload operation while performing our survey. We believe if the 18-line axle THP with Dolly wig extensions will pass Bridge analysis on Hwy 12, there may be an opportunity to remove the dollies and the extension beams after turning on Saddie Tree road. We believe this to be a BEST CASE SENERIO. As the road would be closed to traffic for the transport this would allow us time to remove the beams and dollies prior to traveling on Saddie Tree rd.
This would also eliminate having to off load the power equipment form the transporter and thus reduce risk.
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