Newton Falls officials question feds declaration that railroad overpass is 'safe'

On Wednesday the Federal Railroad Administration deemed the North Canal Street railroad overpass in Newton Falls owned by CSX safe--based on an inspection that was done by the railroad company on April 26. That inspection took place before residents and local officials expressed their concerns with the structure.

If it has been inspected in the last few years, it hasn't been a detailed inspection; at least the inspections we perform.", Trumbull County deputy engineer Gary Shaffer said in an interview back on June 16.  At that time the engineer's office had MS Consultants inspect the structure, only to find 11 of the 15 pillars supporting the bridge had significant section loss.

Despite those concerns, the Federal Railroad Administration issued 21 News this statement--

"Although CSX documented certain deteriorating conditions in its report, these conditions are typical for a bridge of this age, type, and traffic history. CSX is monitoring these conditions through its regular inspections, and the company's railroad bridge engineer is documenting them for review as required. Ultimately, the report did not indicate any serious structural concerns".

City manager Pamela Priddy wasn't satisfied with CSX deeming their own bridge safe...referring to the declaration as the fox watching the henhouse.

"There should be other people looking at it to say 'yes they did what was right.  We've inspected it also and what they've done is a corrective measure'", said Priddy.

Mayor Ken Kline says the matter will be discussed at next Wednesday's council meeting. 

21 News has reached out to the FRA and CSX for a copy of the inspection report but have not heard back yet.