In 2018, a freight train loaded with biodiesel accidentally traversed the Carcea viaduct, which was closed in one direction at the time being for renovation works. The steel deck sections were in various stages of consolidation, and the tracks and sleepers detached at the time of the accident.
As a result of the train accidentally running directly on the structural elements of the viaduct, the first and second deck sections (in the Orsova direction) were completely destroyed, and the third deck section was partially damaged. Moreover, the back wall and the bearings of the northern abutment were damaged, causing disruption to the first deck section in the Videle direction.
The traffic was being carried on a single lane only (direction Videle), with the speed being limited to 30 km/h, while the Orsova direction lane was closed to traffic and the first two deck sections had been dismantled.
Technical solutions for safety and comfort
The contract, signed in the spring of 2023, covers reconstruction and repair works to the Carcea Viaduct, located on the main line 100 Bucharest – Timisoara.
The objective is to work out technical solutions for consolidating the viaduct infrastructure and replacing the deck sections to enable traffic to operate in both directions in complete safety and comfort.
The STRABAG group, headquartered in Austria, will support the project with their construction know-how, while DB Engineering & Consulting (DB E&C) will provide their expertise as the main designer, responsible for the technical and detailed design during the Design phase and for technical assistance during the Execution phase.
The project started in January and has a duration of 26 months, of which 12 months are for the design phase with approvals and 14 months for the execution.
DB E&C’s design services for the project include:
- Repair and consolidation works for the existing viaduct infrastructure
- Replacing the damaged viaduct superstructure
- New track on the superstructure and connection to the existing line
- Rail installations
Supporting the Romanian rail network
DB E&C has been involved in the modernization of Romania’s rail system since 2003, being engaged as the technical consultant and supervising the construction for the upgrade of the Bucharest – Constanta and Arad – Curtici rail lines. Both are sections of Corridor IV, one of the pan-European transport corridors and the shortest land connection between Greece and Central Europe.
Furthermore, since 2015, Bucharest has been home to DB Engineering & Consulting’s Design Center Romania, which supports the regions in Germany and other countries with engineering services, including design services for the connection of Terminal T1 of Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport to the rail network.
