Precast Polymer Panels Make The Grade For Railroad Crossing

Laying 50 linear feet in less than seven hours, Transpo Industries, Inc., recently completed its first Nebraska installation of the Bodan Highway/Railroad

Laying 50 linear feet in less than seven hours, Transpo Industries, Inc., recently completed its first Nebraska installation of the Bodan Highway/Railroad Grade Crossing System. As the grain and cattle industry brings considerable truck traffic to Rte. 81, 26 miles north of North Folk, the Nebraska Department of Roads in cooperation with the Northeast Nebraska Railroad sought a remedy for a crossing that had failed at the site four times since 1990.

Transpo’s Bodan system of precast polymer concrete panels was selected as the best solution to provide long-term service under heavy use. The immediate success of the installation led to a second project planned for Spring 2006.

Because the panels bridge between the rails, any fastening to cross ties is eliminated. The modular panels facilitate installation for any crossing configuration, the producer emphasizes, while allowing easy removal during routine track maintenance. Bodan is the only railroad grade crossing system featuring optional built-in flashing warning lights that serve the function of quad gates.