HIGHLAND – The Hudson 7 group of municipalities that draw their water from the Hudson River has suggested actions to be taken in response to the observation of the advanced deterioration of the Blue Point CSX railroad bridge near the Hudson River in Highland.
The railroad has concluded the bridge needs to be replaced and has shored it up temporarily with timbers.
Replacement design is underway and construction is scheduled to start in 2022.
In the interim, the Hudson 7 is asking CSX to provide information on its approach for monitoring the bridge and information on its emergency response planning to limit and mitigate contamination to the stream and river should an incident resulting in a spill occur.
The Hudson 7 wants the Federal Railroad Administration to conduct an independent review of CSX’s plans to ensure safe use of the bridge and avoidance of contaminating spills.
The review should include:
- Understanding of the frequency and approach for bridge monitoring
- Speed and weight limits applied to the train passage on the bridge
- Review of special inspections to be conducted by CSX after an unusual weather event, such as flooding, a significant windstorm, or significant icing in the creek and adjacent lagoon
- CSX’s approach for emergency response at the remote site, which is not easily accessible
