Bridge over long-abandoned line causes problems

Or hazmat storage. Aren't row's harder for state agencies to regulate?....

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One critical question would be whether there is currently a non-rail use of that ROW, for which CSX is deriving revenue. Examples would be buried fiber optic lines or a pipeline.

I have driven over that now OOS bridge and other at grade crossings of that ROW for about a decade. I have never seen any "do not dig" signs indicating a pipeline or fiber optic cable.

The right of way has had no maintenance at all for about 30 years. There are a plethora of 15-20 feet high "trees" of various species filling the right of way in most areas. Where the bridge in question resides you would not know a railroad line passed under the road unless someone told you. It looks like a small strip of land where the trees are just a bit smaller (younger) than all the other trees. Another 10/20 years and the trees will cover most traces of the ROW.

No evidence of any weed control, mowing etc, anywhere. The density of the vegetation seems to coincide with the depth of the ballast at the location. Areas near road crossings seem to have less vegetation and areas where turnouts where also have less dense tree coverage. Those areas probably accumulated more ballast during the working life of that segment. More ballast would cause the trees to grow slower as the roots slowly force their way down through the rocks.

There are a few concrete bases where signal masts where present and the odd battery box vault at grade crossings. But no signs of any ROW maintenance that someone owning a pipeline or fiber optic ROW would likely perform.

The Confederate States Express doesn't 'fix' the bridges they do own.

At CSX, safety is always our highest priority and we continue to invest heavily in the safety and maintenance of our railroad infrastructure.

....after we cut some more jobs.

Talk about reading from the same playbook as Nazi Southern.
Actually the same playbook as 'Corporate America' uses. Safety first as long as it doesn't cost anything.

Frankly, if that is a highway bridge, why would a Carrier be responsible for it? It's not a RR bridge and besides that track is long gone during ConJob.

videobruce wrote:Frankly, if that is a highway bridge, why would a Carrier be responsible for it? It's not a RR bridge and besides that track is long gone during ConJob.

It seems there are conflicting opinions on what various laws do and don't require. It's not surprising that one law would suggest it's totally the State's problem, while there are one or more other laws suggesting it's on CSX, or Conrail, or PC, or even NYC. (I imagine NYC&HR RR is off the hook ). Remember, the words "common sense" don't enter into the matter.