(erielack) Elmira Viaducts - FRA inspection begins

["HO Junction Custom Models" <hojct_@_stny.rr.com>]

Cement Falls Off Train Viaduct
Last Update: 10/16/2006 9:13:49 PM
Posted By: Leigh Kjekstad - WETM-18
http://www.wetmtv.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=87239ACA-78F5-4038-9C2D-90E8C8E16C91

Part of Railroad Avenue in Elmira is closed because part of the train viaduct crumbled. Mayor John Tonello says it's no coincidence that just weeks after the trains picked up speed, the cement started to crumble. 

Railroad Avenue between Water and Gray Streets is closed. City leaders believe in the early morning hours Monday, a passing train caused cement to come loose from the viaduct. 

Mayor Tonello tells us the cement pieces were about the size of softballs. He says this problem is exactly what city leaders were concerned about when they found out Norfolk Southern was increasing the speed of their trains to 50-miles per hour. "There is clearly a lot more vibration than there used to be at 30mph. There's a lot more noise. There's a lot more impact. And the question remains, are these viaducts capable of carrying the traffic?" he says. 

Tonello says he doesn't believe anyone is in any danger, and the city closed this road as a precaution. 

The Federal Railroad Administration began inspecting all the viaducts in the city Monday at US Senator Chuck Schumer's request. 

Tonello says Railroad Avenue will remain closed at least until those inspections are finished. 

We're also told that City Manager John Burin called Norfolk Southern to tell them about the problem. But, the two parties played phone tag most of the day. 






Here we go again, 

Shawn

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