POUGHKEEPSIE – Earlier this month, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro joined Riverkeeper to take a look at the Blue Point railroad bridge between Highland and Milton that appears unsafe. Immediately following the tour, Molinaro contacted CSX Transportation and State Transportation Department officials about the bridge.
In a letter to the CSX Director of Rail Safety and the CSX Chief Rail Inspection Officer, Molinaro called for an independent investigation of the bridge that is used by freight trains that routinely carry dangerous petroleum products.
Noting that the bridge is sagging with temporary support of wood and concrete, Molinaro said, “Given the hazardous nature of some of the product being transported on this line as well as the line’s proximity to the river and the drinking water intakes used by Poughkeepsie and Lloyd, it is essential that the bridge be immediately inspected by an independent state-appointed rail bridge engineer and repaired as soon as possible. ”
DOT responded on August 23, saying in part, “The New York State Department of Transportation has contacted both CSX and the Federal Railroad Administration on your behalf, as this bridge falls under federal jurisdiction. NYSDOT has been informed that a project to replace the structure is in design and that construction is expected to commence during 2022.” DOT also noted that they have been assured by CSX that the train officials are monitoring the bridge.
CSX has failed to respond. Molinaro responded to NYSDOT, rebuking their deferral to the federal government. “New York State in 2014 conducted a series of ‘blitzes’ of rail infrastructure, in response to public concerns over rail safety and crude oil transport,” he said. “We believe this demonstrates that NYS has the jurisdiction and authority to inspect CSX infrastructure.”
Molinaro did note that rail bridges were not a focus of the 2014 inspections but should be included in the future. “The Blue Point bridge is a good reason to make bridges the focus of an inspection blitz now. I am reiterating my request for an independent inspection of the Blue Point bridge, based on the 2014 blitz precedent.”
