Portageville bridge

Tue Nov 3 11:37:51 EST 2015

Charlie,

Another article that I saw used the same illustration and identified it as a rendition of the proposed new bridge.  Thanks for bringing this up so I could clarify matters with what little I know about it.

Gordon Hamilton
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: NW Mailing List 
  To: NW Mailing List 
  Sent: Monday, November 02, 2015 12:23 PM
  Subject: Re: Portageville bridge

  Gordon:

  Is this a conceptual photo of the new bridge? I researched location and it appears the old bridge had vertical stanchions. Did I look at the wrong one?

  Charlie Long

  On Fri, Oct 30, 2015 at 5:44 PM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:

    From the online Railway Track and Structures magazine.  --Gordon Hamilton

    Thursday, October 29, 2015
    Norfolk Southern, New York state begin Portageville bridge
      a.. inShare
    Norfolk Southern estimates it will take three years to construct the 900-foot bridge in Letchworth State Park.Norfolk Southern Norfolk Southern, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation broke ground on a $70-million steel arch railroad bridge in Letchworth State Park.

    The new single-track bridge, expected to take about three years to construct, will be 900 feet long and located about 75 feet south of the current iron truss bridge, which spans the Genesee River Gorge. NS also will construct 1,200 feet of new track on either side of the gorge to align existing tracks with the new bridge.

    "This successful public-private partnership underscores the strong confidence we all have in the ongoing potential of the Southern Tier," said James Squires, Norfolk Southern chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Norfolk Southern has a robust bridge program and the new Portageville Bridge will be a testament to today's expert engineers and the craftsmanship of today's railroaders. We expect this project will start a new rail legacy for Letchworth State Park and the Southern Tier."

    When completed, the new bridge will be the linchpin of a vibrant Norfolk Southern rail line that helps businesses in Buffalo and the Southern Tier regions connect with markets east and west. Among the New York-based entities to benefit from the new bridge will be 10 shortline railroads that serve local businesses and connect them to the Norfolk Southern network.

    The budget for the bridge project includes $3 million in design costs and $2.5 million in construction costs from NYSDOT; a $2-million grant from the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council and a $10-million grant from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration. Norfolk Southern will contribute the balance. Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2015.

    "Maintaining a safe, modern freight rail network throughout New York state is critical to supporting business and generating economic activity," said Matthew Driscoll, NYSDOT commissioner. "The new Portageville Bridge will be a beautiful and more efficient addition to Letchworth State Park and is one more example of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's commitment to New York State's rail network."

    The Erie Railroad built the current wrought-iron bridge in 1875 and while it has served several railroad owners from the Erie Lackawanna Railroad to Conrail, its current condition can no longer efficiently handle modern-day freight rail transportation.
    Currently, Norfolk Southern must slow freight trains crossing the bridge to 10 mph and freight car weights must be reduced 13,000 pounds below the industry standard.

    The current bridge will remain open during construction of the new arch bridge and then be dismantled.

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