In Light of Concrete Chunk Falling from City Viaducts, Schumer Demands Norfolk Southern Immediately Reverse Decision to Increase Train Speeds in Elmir

In Light Of Concrete Chunk Falling From City Viaducts, Schumer Demands Norfolk Southern Immediately Reverse Decision To Increase Train Speeds In Elmira

Less Than A Month After Norfolk Southern's Unilateral Decision To Increase Freight Rail Speeds From 30 to 50 MPH, Falling Concrete Has Forced Block To Be Closed

At Schumer's Urging, Federal Railroad Administration Is Now Inspecting Viaduct And Overpass Infrastructure This Week

Schumer: This is a Warning Shot Over Norfolk Southern's Bow That Must Be Heeded - For the Safety of

In light of a concrete chunk falling yesterday from city viaducts while a train was traveling overhead, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today demanded that Norfolk Southern immediately reverse their decision to increase train speeds in Elmira. When Norfolk Southern unilaterally increased the speed of their trains from 30 to 50 mph, they assured the concerned community that they would not permit their trains to run at this speed if doing so were unsafe. Yesterday, a block of Railroad Avenue had to be closed after a piece of concrete fell off a viaduct as a Norfolk Southern train passed overhead. At Schumer's request, the FRA is in Elmira this week to conduct a study of the viaducts and overpasses and other rail infrastructure used by Norfolk Southern's trains. Schumer said that until a comprehensive assessment of all rail-related infrastructure, including viaducts, is completed by the FRA, having all trains run again at 30 mph in Elmira is the only sensible course of action.

"Fortunately, no one was hurt yesterday when concrete fell from the viaduct," Schumer said. "Clearly, in the interest of the safety of Elmira's residents and visitors, this is a warning shot over Norfolk Sothern's bow that must be heeded. We need a full inspection and questions answered before the community can be confident that the infrastructure can support the higher speeds. Until that happens, the trains must slow down."

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.

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. Last week, Schumer and Elmira City Officials urged Joseph H. Boardman, Administrator of the FRA, to investigate the condition of viaducts and overpasses in the town 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.

Today, in a personal letter to Moorman, Schumer wrote, "Norfolk Southern unilaterally and swiftly increased train speeds, and Norfolk Southern can reverse this decision with the same speed. As you know, at my request, the FRA is now in Elmira conducting a study of the viaducts and overpasses and other rail infrastructure used by Norfolk Southern's trains. Until a comprehensive assessment of all rail-related infrastructure, including viaducts, is completed by the FRA, having all trains run again at 30 mph in Elmira is the only sensible course of action."

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=264830&&year=2006&