The Kleinfelder Blog

Century-Kleinfelder, represented by Will Newcomb, was part of the Delaware DOT team that was recognized for solving the long-standing problem of bridge overheads being hit by vehicles.

As part of Delaware’s Statewide Recognition Program, the Casho Mill Road Clankers project received the Governor’s Team Excellence Champions Award. The award recognizes teams that demonstrate a superior level of knowledge, use continuous quality improvement tools and techniques, and have produced tangible results that lead to significant increases in efficiency, client satisfaction, and cost savings.

Century-Kleinfelder, represented by Construction Manager Will Newcomb of the Dover, DE, office, served as a consultant on the Delaware DOT (DelDOT) team that sought to address the long-standing problem of overweight vehicles crashing into or getting stuck in the low railroad underpass on Casho Mill Road.  Despite countless efforts to minimize collisions with the underpass, including multiple warning signs and a motion sensor that flashes when vehicles higher than the clearance height are detected, the underpass has been hit over 70 times. Since closing the road would disrupt the route of 15,000 daily drivers and replacing the bridge would be a costly and complex project, the DelDOT team had to think outside the box to come up with a solution that proactively addressed long-term maintenance, safety, and operational issues.

The DelDOT team determined clankers would be a cost-effective solution that could be quickly implemented. Clankers – bright orange, heavy-duty plastic spheres – were suspended above Casho Mill Road heading into the one-lane underpass. The clankers hang at the same height as the bridge and will jingle if hit, alerting a driver that their vehicle is too tall.

The clankers proved to be a successful solution that enhanced the safety, reliability, and convenience for the busy commuter route, while also reducing the potential for serious injuries, fatalities, and impacts to local commerce. DelDOT now plans to use the solution at other locations experiencing similar issues throughout the state.

“It was an honor to be part of the DelDOT Team on such an innovative solution for the Casho Mill Rail Bridge,” commented Will. Being able to participate in this project, as well as others like it, from concept to completion is the reason I have devoted my career to construction management. With 100% effectiveness to date, it shows thinking outside the box is crucial in times of necessity, particularly when motorist and pedestrian safety are paramount. As a team effort, all challenges are easily mitigated.

To learn more about the project, watch the Governor’s Team Excellence Champions Award and Commitment Award video (the award for the Casho Mill Road Clankers project starts at minute 5:45).