Nebraska railroad split since fatal bridge collapse

Written by jrood

Even with its bridge over the Elkhorn River washed out by floodwaters two weeks ago, Nebraska Central Railroad trains south of the river are running almost as usual, reports the Grand Island Independent. Even around Norfolk -- just north of the ruined bridge -- trains are running. But the railroad can't get goods from places south of the bridge, such as Grand Island, to Norfolk.

Railroad officials hope
that will change in about six weeks.

"It does not appear
the bridge spans are damaged to any degree," said Bob Bach, general
counsel for Nebraska Central Railroad.

The railroad thus plans to
remove and then reuse the spans, he said.

"Right now, we are
estimating mid-August as the completion date" for rebuilding the bridge,
Bach said. "Engineers there are hard at work on rebuilding the piers"
of the bridge.

"We’re working as fast
as we can to get back in operation," Bach said.

Commonly referred to as
"the broken bridge" in the past by residents of Norfolk, the bridge
was nevertheless considered in good condition.

Norfolk, on the far side of
the river from all other parts of the railroad’s network, is the home of the
railroad’s headquarters.

The railroad’s six lines
cover 340 miles, connecting Grand Island, Ord, Central City, Palmer, Fullerton,
Albion, David City and Columbus, as well as Norfolk. The right-of-way is owned
by Union Pacific and the six lines are connected by "trackage rights"
over the UP line between Grand Island and Columbus.

The railroad plays a role
in grain shipments through much of Central Nebraska. It serves customers in
industries such as steel production, agricultural products, grain marketing and
ethanol production. Nebraska Central trains can be distinguished by their
bright red locomotives.

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