American Bridge did a rather extensive rehab job on the old Kate back in 2000-2001, including flame shortening of various stretched chords and repair of damaged piers due to containers blown off of COFC cars account of high winds. After the rehab, it was obvious that old Kate would need even more work to fulfill UP's specs of having two loaded coal trains pass each other at track speed in mid span, something that old Kate hadn't been able to do for decades. So, UP opted for the concrete replacement. UP still owns Old Kate, and it was said that they were considering using it as an MOW road bridge.
I would be willing to bet that no one is happier to have this bridge open than the UPRR engineers, who will no longer have to reduce speed to a crawl in order to cross the old Kate Shelly High Bridge.
Wondering if this bridge was built with pre-cast pieces or was it cast in place? Also if it was pre-cast, can sections be replaced if the concrete begins to degrade prematurely?