BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The City of Binghamton is moving to hire a firm to inspect at least 28 railroad bridges in the city, citing concerns increased by the recent Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
WBNG-TV reports that Mayor Jared Kraham said concerns about aesthetic and structural deficiencies predate the Feb. 3 derailment, but the accident “magnified the focus,” especially since 25 of the bridges involved carry the tracks of NS. The other three carry the New York, Susquehanna & Western.
WBNF Radio reports that Kraham said at a press conference that because the bridges are privately owned and railroads are federally regulated, “it’s been thought for decades that there was little City Hall could do. I’m not going to accept that. We will put railroad companies on notice for the deplorable condition of their infrastructure in Binghamton.”
The cost of the inspections is projected to be less than $50,000. The city will issue a Request for Qualifications this week, and interview firms next month with the goal of inspections beginning this spring and summer.
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