Amid the recent reports of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Route 695 in Baltimore, one email I received from USA Today pointed to the database (see National Bridge Inventory) documenting the condition of bridges throughout the country. Filtering for my own neighborhood, my attention was caught by the description of a small bridge in Narrowsburg around the corner from where I live and work. Below is an exchange of emails with officials at New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway and Sullivan County Department of Public Works. The following email thread starts from the bottom.
from: Trotta, Robert L. <Robert.Trotta@sullivanny.us>
to: "tom@choicesmhc.com"
cc: "DiCio, Roman V.", "Browne, Tamara L."
date: Apr 2, 2024, 12:01 PM
subject: Narrowsburg Bridge on CR 24 over the Railroad
Tom:
It was a pleasure speaking to you at our office today. The following is as per your questions. Below is a copy of the sheet from NYSDOT that verifies that the Primary Owner of the bridge is the Railroad who is responsible for the maintenance of the bridge with exception to the riding asphalt surface upon the bridge which the County maintains.
The bridge is inspected every other year by the NYSDOT’s bridge inspection program. The last inspection was on October 18, 2023 where the majority of the wearing surface/pavement was rated CS-1/Good and a portion was rated CS-2/Fair. After checking, the County applied crack sealant to the deck last year as shown in the photo to maintain the surface.
As to which Railroad currently owns the bridge, that question has been a problem as the railroad owners change from time to time. In the past we contacted, Central New York Railroad Corporation and at another time, The New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway Corporation. Chapter 49, Section 93 of the Railroad Law states that the Railroad is responsible to maintain the framework of the bridge and its abutments.
I hope this answers your questions.
Robert Trotta, P.E.
Bridge Engineer
Sullivan County Division of Public Works
Department of Engineering
County of Sullivan
100 North Street
Monticello, NY 12701
office: 845-807-0278| fax: 845-807-0335
Robert.Trotta@sullivanny.us | www.sullivanny.us
--
from:
Melanie Boyer <mboyer@nysw.com>
to: Thomas Rue <tom@choicesmhc.com>
date: Apr 2, 2024, 8:32 AM
subject: RE: FW: Online Form from Thomas Rue
Mr. Rue,
I understand your concern. The railroad map you attached actually shows the bridge carrying the railroad over Main Street. Your link is for NY 52/CR24 highway bridge over the railroad. I am not sure where the ownership information came from, but some of the information listed is incorrect. I suggest you contact the county to see if they have plans to rehabilitate the bridge.
Here is the map indicating the bridge you have concerns about. North is shown by the arrow.
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from: Thomas Rue <tom@choicesmhc.com>
to: Melanie Boyer <mboyer@nysw.com>
date: Apr 1, 2024, 3:02 PM
subject: Re: FW: Online Form from Thomas Rue
Good afternoon, Ms. Boyer.
Thank you for your reply. My email of March 29th concerned the bridge described in the database entry shown below, which is accessible on the web at (https://data.democratandchronicle.com/bridge/new-york/sullivan/rte-52-over-nys-w/36-000000003357410/). It clearly says that Ownership and Maintenance Responsibility belong to "Railroad". Is that incorrect? Also, please see the attached railroad map. I am talking about the bridge over the tracks, not the interstate bridge (which is maintained by NYS DOT) over the Upper Delaware River, which is a couple blocks away.
The bridge in question passes over the tracks. It is around the corner from where I live and work and is a main thoroughfare in this small town. It concerns me that it is described as "structurally deficient", "in need of repair or corrective action", and its deck condition as "poor" and other aspects as "fair" at best. If this is not actually the Railroad's bridge, can you advise me specifically who to contact regarding its maintenance schedule? Thank you!
Best regards,
Tom Rue
78 Kirks Rd.
Narrowsburg NY 12764
845-828-0299 cell
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from: Melanie Boyer <mboyer@nysw.com>
to: "tom@choicesmhc.com" <tom@choicesmhc.com>
date: Apr 1, 2024, 11:03 AM
subject: Fwd: Online Form from Thomas Rue
mailed-by: nysw.com
Mr. Rue,
The Rt. 52 Bridge Street bridge is a highway bridge and not owned by the Central New York. Engineers use the term railroad bridge for highway bridges over railroads. Actually they are called Overhead Railroad Bridges. I hope this was helpful.
Melanie Boyer
The New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway Corp.
Central New York Railroad Corp.
1 Railroad Avenue
Cooperstown, NY 13326
Office: 607-547-2555, ext. 250
Cell: 607-592-1978
--
From: auto@cnyk.com
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2024 2:05 PM
To: Human Resources (humanresources@nysw.com)
Subject: Online Form from Thomas Rue
Name: Thomas Rue
Email: tom@choicesmhc.com
Phone: 845-828-0299
Address: Narrowsburg, NY
Message:
March 29, 2024
Mr. Phil Defazio, Safety & Compliance Officer NYSW Railway
1 Railroad Avenue
Cooperstown, NY 13326
Dear Supervisor Johnson:
I am writing to express safety concern and to inquire about the current condition and maintenance schedule of the condition of the railroad bridge on Route 52 (Bridge Street near Kirks Road). Built in 1948, it has been flagged by the National Bridge Inventory as "in need of repair or corrective action", and to kindly advise when needed repairs are planned. In October 2021, inspectors rated this bridge deck as "poor" and bridge overall as "structurally deficient". [1]
I understand that this bridge is owned by the Central New York Railway. Please advise.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Respectfully,
Thomas S. Rue
In today's post, there was a Tusten Roots newsletter containing an interesting three-page article with multiple period photos by Tusten Historian Art Hawker entitled "The Lake Erie Bridge". Click here to download the issue: Tusten Roots, Vol. 22, No. 2 (April 2024)
Spoiler alert: The federal database was not up to date with the most recent maintenance. Good work, Sullivan County DPW and NYS DOT!
Skinners Falls/Milanville Bridge
I can't resist a closing shoutout to PennDOT to get their butts in gear toward reopening the Skinners Falls-Milanville Bridge, a few miles upriver from Narrowsburg. That vital interstate bridge, linking New York and Pennsylvania since 1902 is historic in part due to its association with that important spot on the river and the early rafting industry that shaped the region's economy. This bridge has been closed to all users, including bicycles and pedestrians, since 2019 while PennDOT slow-boats this significant structure's restoration.
The Milanville Bridge (1902)
major repairs to a landmark truss bridge
connecting New York to Pennsylvania
Articles from The Rue Morgue, 1987-1992Pictures of 1987 Skinners Falls Bridge repairs and restoration (photos by Tom Rue)
walking around Skinners Falls, Cochecton, October 20, 2003 (photos by Tom Rue)