Feds urge railroads to share more info about safety of aging bridges

Bart Jansen | USA TODAY

WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration is urging railroads that repair their own bridges to share more about their inspections and maintenance because of widespread local concerns about bridge deterioration.

In disputes across the country, members of Congress, local officials and residents complain they can't get information from railroads about the safety of deteriorating bridges and tunnels that are often more than 100 years old.

FRA Acting Administrator Sarah Feinberg wrote a letter Thursday to hundreds of local railroads and trade organizations, urging them to build public confidence in their maintenance programs by telling communities more about how they inspect and repair about 100,000 bridges nationwide.

“When a local leader or elected official asks a railroad about the safety status of a railroad bridge, they deserve a timely and transparent response,” Feinberg said in the letter obtained by USA TODAY.

Her letter follows local disputes about oil trains passing through their communities. Concerns were sparked in July 2013, when a freight train carrying Bakken crude oil from North Dakota derailed in the Canadian city Lac-Megantic, and the fire killed 42 people and destroyed dozens of buildings.

In Milwaukee, where the accident train had passed days before, city and federal officials questioned the safety of a downtown bridge, as reported by the Journal Sentinel.

The owner, Canadian Pacific, refused to share annual inspection reports. But the railroad said the bridge is safe and aging steel supports will be encased in concrete.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., welcomed Feinberg's letter in the spirit of her legislation pending in Congress that would require FRA to keep inspection reports and share them with community leaders. She also said she was pleased that Canadian Pacific will reinforce the bridge built in 1916 as it nears its 100th birthday.

"But we want to see the inspection report," Baldwin said. "I want to be able to provide that to my constituents who have concerns."

In northern New Jersey, local officials are worried about the safety of a CSX bridge over part of Oradell Reservoir and tunnels in other communities, according to an editorial titled “Oil Train Fears” in the Record newspaper. The officials complained they learn nothing from railroads, but the paper reported that the bridge’s wooden deck would be replaced after a Freedom of Information Act request to FRA.

Andy Cummings, a spokesman for Canadian Pacific, said the railroad is reviewing the letter.

"CP meets or exceeds all federal regulations and has a thorough inspection and maintenance program for all its bridges and structures," Murray said.

A Minnesota Public Radio investigation found railroads reluctant to share information about the condition of bridges. Local and state inspectors can see bridge supports but aren’t given access to load-bearing and design data.

Bridges are often safe even when they look deteriorated, according to Feinberg. While many railroad bridges are more than 100 years old, aging bridges could be safe because they were built for steam locomotives that are heavier than modern trains, she said.

FRA officials observed 4,000 bridges and conducted 800 field audits during the last two years, according to Feinberg. But railroads are responsible for inspecting, maintaining and repairing their privately owned bridges.

Her FRA letter urging greater transparency went to large freight railroads, about 700 short-line railroads, Amtrak and trade groups such as American Public Transportation Association representing commuter lines and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

“Your engagement will help develop a stronger understanding of the work you do and build greater trust and confidence in the safety of our nation’s rail transportation system,” Feinberg said.