Sounds like NS might be in some hot water…
Further information on the bridge-
http://bridgehunter.com/mo/marion/hannibal-rr/
http://www.johnweeks.com/upper_mississippi/pagesB/umissBR02.html
I guess they want to get stuck for a cleanup bill for something like this?
Looks like NS only care about getting there trains through…
…I certainly don’t want to take any sides here. My observation {from reading the article}, indicates to me NS must have evaluated the situation that indicated the bridge had to be in the down and locked position if it was to survive. Damage to others {property damage}, was a real threat too…{with it down, maybe worse}…! If the bridge didn’t survive it’s replacement would probably have had to be funded at least by government grants of somekind…So “government” probably was going to have to “pay”, in either circumstances…Much property damage because bridge was down…and or help pay to rebuild the structure.
Sounds like there was no easy answer…Just the terrible down side of these uncontrollable floods.
Stupid thought, but is the East Approach not roughly half again longer than lift section? It’s gonna catch junk whether it wants to or not. Maybe ghaving it up would let some of it through, but once stuff hits the East Approach,odds are its gonna stick anyway and screw the water levels.