Is HDPE pipe suitable for use under railroads?
Yes, HDPE pipe is suitable for direct burial under railroads with just 4-5 feet of cover. An engineering burial analysis is recommended. Due to the prior poor experience with “brittle” PVC (plastic) pipe, most railway specifications require that all pipe crossings must be encased in steel pipe based on a structural evaluation, impact tolerant HDPE pipe does not require a steel casing, but jurisdictional requirements will usually prevail.
