Per the news reports cited above in this thread, this incident was not caused by failure of the bridge or related railroad track structure. It was a fender, the equivalent of a guardrail along a highway, that was hit by a boat and dislodged. Fenders keep boats from hitting a bridge, just as guardrails keep road vehicles from hitting overhead bridge abutments, poles, trees, etc. off the edge of the highway pavement. >>>"The section served as a fender to prevent boats from damaging bridge supports. Moran thinks likely a passing boat struck the section. He said the pilings below the surface were badly eroded."<<<
This gives rise to the questions as to what entity is responsible for the cost of repairs and replacement of the bridge fenders, and since this is a navigable waterway, is there a federal requirement that the fenders be repaired to ensure the safety of passing vessels and/or prevent damage to the bridge itself which would obstruct navigation? If CMSL is responsible pursuant to the lease with NJ Transit this has the potential to be a substantial financial blow to CMSL which already has several open NJ upper court judgments for debts owed to the State and other parties. Hopefully NJ Transit is responsible and CMSL will not be adversely affected.
~Ken :: Fairmont ex-UP/MP C436 MT-14M1 ::
Black River Railroad Historical Trust :: [/url]