Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction (RLW) has been honored with a 2025 PDCA Project of the Year Award for its exceptional work replacing the Union Pacific Railroad Santa Barbara Hub Bridge--an environmentally sensitive, technically demanding coastal project where ICE® equipment played a critical role. 

The bridge sits along a protected stretch of the California coastline, a place where environmental sensitivity, cultural significance, and narrow construction windows shaped every decision. Despite these constraints, RLW successfully delivered a full 541‑foot bridge replacement within a strict 14‑day rail outage, relying on ICE® diesel hammers and vibratory drivers to keep the schedule on track. 

From the outset, the team worked within a landscape that demanded precision and respect. The coastline is home to native plant species, endangered wildlife, and archaeological sites tied to Native American history. RLW developed a plan that allowed pile installation without disturbing these areas, including an innovative sheet‑pile seawall designed to shield the work zone from tides and wave action. In ponded areas near the causeway, crews installed a specialized fence that allowed seawater to pass freely while preventing a protected frog species from entering the construction zone. Access roads were routed around sand dunes and built with a removable base layer so the land could be restored to its original elevation once the bridge is complete. 

Working beneath the existing bridge added another layer of complexity. Equipment had to clear the structure overhead while still delivering the power needed to drive deep foundation piles. RLW turned to ICE® I‑36 Diesel Hammers and the ICE® 44 Vibratory Hammer; outfitted with Hydrauli‑Flex® hose for improved flexibility and durability; to install H‑piles, sheet pile cells, lagging walls, and a 504‑foot temporary seawall. These tools allowed crews to work efficiently in sandy soils influenced by ocean tides and Honda Creek, all while staying within Union Pacific's strict operational limits. With active rail lines just feet away, pile driving was condensed into short daily work windows, requiring meticulous planning and coordination. 

By the end of the outage window, RLW had not only met its schedule but delivered a high‑quality foundation system that will support Union Pacific's operations for decades. The project stands as a model of how thoughtful engineering, environmental stewardship, and the right equipment can come together to solve complex challenges. International Construction Equipment, Inc. is proud that its diesel hammers and vibratory drivers played a central role in helping RLW achieve award‑winning results on one of the most demanding coastal bridge projects in recent memory. Congratulations to the entire Ralph L. Wadsworth team on this well‑deserved honor. 

Read the full story in PileDriver Magazine or learn more about ICE® Deep Foundation Equipment

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Media Contact-          
Pollyanna Cunningham, MA, MBA          
 Vice President    
 ICE® - International Construction Equipment, Inc        
The Hose Company      
Office - 704-821-8200          
 Email - marketing@iceusa.com / info@hydraulichose.com