WATCH: NS Rebuilds Newport Bridge in Tennessee
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Screen capture of Newport Bridge during rebuild.
Courtesy of Norfolk Southern via YouTube
NEWPORT, Tenn. - Norfolk Southern has installed new bridge spans for its rail bridge replacement in Tennessee.
After Hurricane Helene sustained considerable damage to areas in western North Carolina and Tennessee, Norfolk Southern has worked on the infrastructure to restore operations. Since mid-October 2024, NS has been working on replacing a rail bridge located in Newport, Tennessee. Crews have cleared more than 15,000 trees in the area and deployed more than 400 generators to repair multiple track washouts. From Newport to Old Fort, N.C., the line was severely damaged and has been out of service since September, when the flooding occurred.
Since then, NS teams have worked to rebuild the infrastructure. The final span on the new bridge was installed on March 14th. Not only is the new bridge expected to last a century, but it restores “a vital link along the line.”
NS Chief Engineer Bridges & Structures Ruth Brown said, “The speedy replacement of the Newport bridge, despite challenging conditions in the wake of the storm, exemplifies the Norfolk Southern team’s commitment to reliability, resilience, and investment in the communities we serve. . . This project is more than just infrastructure repair – it’s a crucial step in maintaining the flow of commerce, keeping local economies strong, and reinforcing the trust our customers and partners place in us every day.”
Below is a YouTube video courtesy of Norfolk Southern that shows the work completed over the last five months.
