After two years of construction, Norfolk Southern has begun operating trains across the new Portageville Bridge on its Southern Tier Line. The USD 75-million single-track bridge was funded through a public-private partnership among Norfolk Southern, the New York State Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration.
Known regionally as the Portage Bridge, the 963-foot-long steel arch railroad bridge spans across the 235-foot-deep Genesee River Gorge in Letchworth State Park. The new bridge will speed up train traffic and enable Norfolk Southern to run heavier rail car loads over the line, eliminating a major rail bottleneck for freight shippers.
In addition to enhancing rail safety and operating efficiencies, the new bridge expands freight capacity and business opportunities for shippers from the Midwest to New England. With the new bridge, Norfolk Southern can now transport rail cars over the Southern Tier Line loaded to the industry standard 130,000 kg, a key benefit for customers. The old iron truss bridge it replaces, built in 1875 by the Erie Railroad, was unable to support modern freight rail needs: car weights had to be reduced 6,000 kg below the standard, while train speed was restricted to 10 mph. Trains crossing the new bridge will operate at up to 30 mph.
Among New York-based businesses benefitting from the new bridge are 10 short line railroads that service and connect local industries to Norfolk Southern’s network. Norfolk Southern transports freight over the Southern Tier Line for about 1,100 customers in more than 20 states. The line serves as a gateway for trade with Canada and provides a connection to New York City and New England markets.
“The successful completion of this bridge is an excellent demonstration of how the public and private sectors can work together on freight transportation projects that generate significant public benefits and are vital to U.S. commerce. It’s also a testament to Norfolk Southern’s robust bridge program and the ingenuity of engineers and railroaders,” said James A. Squires, chairman, president and CEO.
Share on:
