Join the discussion on the following article:
Report: Bridge failures disrupt Metro-North service 175 times in Connecticut in a year
I think replacing the motors and gears would should be enough, but Im not there. Replace the entire bridge? Sounds like an excuse to pilfer more funds, $2.8 billion? Sounds like B.S. to me,
Look how long it took to get the lift bridge replaced on the Connecticut River in New London. It will take many years to get these bridges all replaced - lucky if done in 10-15 years
Doesn’t the state of Connecticut own the bridges in question, and shouldn’t the state be responsible for the upkeep, maintenance, and replacement of said bridges? Don’t understand why the good governor isn’t having a meeting with himself…
Replacing a drawbridge requires coordination with many local, state and federal agencies. A Govenor cannot snap his fingers and make it happen. The $2.8 billion sounds a little high. My understanding is that the cost of a double track lift span (currently preferred) is about $100 million. Replacing 5 bridges carrying four tracks each adds up to $1 billion. They may be looking at high level crossings and eliminating the moveable spans.
“A summit at MTA headquarters” the good Dannel Malloy demands, hey? So now he wants to shift as much blame as he can on the NYState “umbrella” agency that runs Metro North even though, as Mr. Jeffries points out, the bridges belong to ConnDOT. Pathetic.
Mr. Malloy needs to be called to account for why he pushed for, and won, his Hartford-New Britain Busway when he either did know, or should have known, of the precarious condition of the the four New Haven Line swing bridges.
Malloy is just grand standing
I can see why Amtrak wants to build its own HSR line inland of the Shoreline.
I think gov. Malloy is probably the worst governor of all state governors next to Chris Christie. He’s to lazy to just repair a railway bridge, I mean are you serious? If your gonna repair the bridges, then repair the bridges!
What the Governor’s rantings mask are facts that 1) CT owns the railroad and the bridges; 2) CT has failed to live up to its accepted responsibility of repairing or replacing the bridges 3) money earmarked for transportation projects including rail and its bridges, are often taken back for other “government” purposes. To pin the problem on MNRR is just a practice in deflecting and deception instead of taking on the responsibility while playing a game of political finances.
What the Governor’s rantings mask are facts that 1) CT owns the railroad and the bridges; 2) CT has failed to live up to its accepted responsibility of repairing or replacing the bridges 3) money earmarked for transportation projects including rail and its bridges, are often taken back for other “government” purposes. To pin the problem on MNRR is just a practice in deflecting and deception instead of taking on the responsibility while playing a game of political finances.
What the Governor’s rantings mask are facts that 1) CT owns the railroad and the bridges; 2) CT has failed to live up to its accepted responsibility of repairing or replacing the bridges 3) money earmarked for transportation projects including rail and its bridges, are often taken back for other “government” purposes. To pin the problem on MNRR is just a practice in deflecting and deception instead of taking on the responsibility while playing a game of political finances.
Yes, Connecticut DOES own the bridges and the entire right of way. He just wants the Feds to pay for it all.
The decision for Trains Magazine to consistently use generic photos instead of the appropriate photo (such as the Walk Bridge in this case) is maddening. When are they going to get it right?
@ Charles Briggs - That’s the Thames River between New London and Groton, CT; the Connecticut River lies between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme, CT.
The drawbridge I work at (Niantic, featured in Feb. 2014 TRAINS), including about 1/2 mile of track relocation, and environmental restoration work, as well as building a new bascule bridge, took a bit over 3-1/2 years to complete. Projects of such magnitude do not transpire overnight.