Fall River Rail Platform

Fall River Station, located in Massachusetts, is a newly constructed MBTA Commuter Rail Station, forming part of the South Coast Rail Project. Recognizing the advantages of FRP decking from previous experiences in renovating old rail platforms, the MBTA opted for its use once again at Fall River Station. The decision was driven by the material’s straightforward installation process and its exceptional resistance to corrosion caused by the substantial salt exposure endured during winter conditions.

Axcess took over the design of a 730-foot rail platform, consisting of individual panels spanning up to 32 feet. Each panel required unique modifications, including column cutouts, steel embed placements for various mounted attachments such as railings, benches, trash cans, and ticket machines, and differing spacings between the bearing pedestals. To ensure structural integrity, the panels adopted a double tee design and camber to counteract sagging under both dead and design loads. Additionally, tapered shims were strategically placed beneath the panels, creating a slope away from the rail lines to prevent water and other contaminants from draining onto the tracks.