Schumer Urges Feds to Conduct a Safety Assessment After Unilateral Decision by Norfolk Southern to Increase Speed of Trains traveling Through Elmira

Schumer Urges Feds To Conduct A Safety Assessment After Unilateral Decision By Norfolk Southern To Increase Speed Of Trains Traveling Through Elmira

As Norfolk Southern Increases Freight Rail Speeds From 30 To 50 MPH, Schumer Says: The Old And Decaying Infrastructure Must Be Inspected Immediately

Freight Trains Through Elmira Can Contain Hazardous Materials That Could Pose Safety Risks At Higher Speeds

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to conduct a safety assessment of the railroad infrastructure after a unilateral decision by Norfolk Southern Corporation to permit their freight trains to increase their travel speed from 30 to 50 mph through Elmira. Elmira officials and citizens are concerned that several viaducts and overpasses are too old and decayed to accommodate this speed increase. The community is worried that the higher speed and the hazardous materials on some of the trains contain could pose safety risks in Elmira, especially if the infrastructure cannot support these changes.

"There is a big fat question mark on Elmira's train viaducts when it comes to their ability to handle freight trains barreling through the city at nearly twice the speed as before. The FRA must step up to the plate and answer these questions to the full satisfaction of the people of Elmira, and they need to do it fast," said Senator Schumer. "Some of these trains are carrying hazardous materials and we cannot risk the possibility of an accident if these old overpasses and viaducts can't support this high of speed. Obviously, increasing the speed these trains travel will increase the risk of accidents. The FRA has a responsibility to conduct a comprehensive safety inspection, and if deemed unsafe, Norfolk Southern must reverse their current policy.

"Elmirans tell me they are concerned about the increased speed of trains traveling through downtown and residential neighborhoods, but Norfolk Southern has offered precious little to allay their fears. If the tracks and viaducts can safely accommodate 50 miles per hour trains, we certainly have not received any information to support that assertion. In fact, we've received virtually no information. That's why we are asking FRA to inspect the viaducts, and why I have asked Sen. Schumer and others to help encourage Norfolk Southern to hear our concerns and respond," said John Tonello, Mayor of Elmira.

The infrastructure of Norfolk Southern in the Elmira community is old and decaying. The viaducts are 75 years old with little or no maintenance done to the underside and there is spalled concrete, exposed reinforcing and failed drainage systems all along the system. Norfolk Southern operates freight-only elevated route through the Elmira community, which sometimes carries hazardous materials. In September, Norfolk Southern announced that it would increase the speed of its trains traveling through Elmira, from 30 mph to 50 mph, in order to remain competitive. In light of these infrastructural dangers, city officials have expressed concern about the possible risks associated with these higher speeds to rail cars carrying hazardous waste through Elmira. Last month, Schumer urged Charles W. Moorman, Chairman, President and CEO of Norfolk Southern Corporation, to send a representative to Elmira to meet with city officials, hear their concerns regarding freight train speed and work with community leaders to find an equitable solution to this situation.

In a personal letter today to Joseph H. Boardman, Administrator of the FRA, Schumer wrote, "Beyond the obvious safety concerns, Elmira officials and citizens are concerned about the condition of several viaducts and overpasses used by Norfolk Southern's trains when they pass through the city. Therefore, I urge the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to investigate these viaducts and overpasses to determine the impact to the infrastructure as a result of an increase in speed, and to further articulate what short and long term infrastructure impacts could result from this increase in speed."

Freight trains traveling throughout New York State could pose many safety risks. In 2001, a CSX train crashed in Rochester, derailing 23 cars, three of which spilled thousands of toxic chemicals into the Genesee River. However, this accident could have been far more tragic had the chemicals spilled in to a neighborhood or a crowded community area. In 2004, a CSX freight train derailed in Rockland County, resulting in four cars spilling nearly 200 tons of silicon metal. Last year, a CSX train traveling through the Capital Region went through the gates and ran into a car.

Schumer is the author of The Rail Crossing and Hazardous Materials Transport Act which would set tougher minimum and maximum fines for fatal accidents and establishes new requirements for investigations, inspections and the use of new safety technology. The legislation aims to crack down on negligent railroad companies and require the broader use of modern technology to protect the public from more fatal crossing and hazardous materials accidents.

http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/record.cfm?id=264577&&year=2006&