Mississippi man fearful railroad bridge could collapse PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, November 30, 2010

A Mississippi man is concerned about a railroad bridge he believes is too dangerous for trains to cross, local television news reports. Adam Webb visits the Coldwater River often, and is fearful of a bridge located along Highway 178 in Olive Branch, Miss. Webb believes the bridge is going to collapse under the weight of a train.

"I was down here canoeing one day when the water was down, and noticed the erosion on the bridge was pretty bad," he said.

Webb is convinced railroad engineers are oblivious of the bridge's current condition.

"I'm worried the bridge is going to collapse," he said. "I don't think they're aware at how bad the erosion is from the floods this year."

Webb says high currents from floodwaters have eroded the bridge to unsafe conditions. With an elementary school just a half-mile away, he's afraid a collapse could cause a crash that would potentially poison the water below.

"These trains run nonstop, and I'm just worried we'll have a real catastrophe," he said.

A welder by trade, Webb wants something to be done before a big problem emerges.

"I'd like to see them fix the bridge," he said.

BNSF owns the bridge, and a spokesperson says the company is looking into Webb's concerns.


 

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