PSG Fastener’s helps MBTA with nature conservation project

The Greenbush extension of the MBTA on the south shore of Massachusetts is planning on entering revenue service on Sept. 27. This construction project includes some unique underpasses for wildlife, specifically spotted turtles.

These crossings involve using 3 extended concrete ties in 45 places along the line. Between these ties, all ballast will be removed down to the base of the ties, and specially designed plastic trays will be placed. They will be covered with leaves to make an easier path for wildlife to cross the grade.

Our customer, the manufacturer of the ties, contacted us on Friday, June 22. The special ties needed inserts installed at the ends to affix these plastic trays. The customer would incur penalties if these ties were not ready for installation by Thursday, June 28

We put together a plan, loaded our demonstration drilling machinery, and were on site on Tuesday June 26 with two technicians. We set up a makeshift drilling site in a parking lot where the ties were stored and began drilling within an hour. Temperatures soared to over 100 degrees.

 Our technicians worked until dark, but the customer was concerned about meeting the deadline. On Wednesday, we brought 2 additional field technicians to expedite the process. Working the entire day, and with the customer pitching in to help, we had completed drilling all of the ties, and our NSS34 stainless inserts installed using Insulfast adhesive.The customer incurred no penalties.

 

The results can be seen on the left. Here a brood of Mallards take advantage of one of the crossing sites.