Repair work continues after section of Syracuse rail bridge collapses

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Repair work continued Friday on the elevated railroad bridge over West Onondaga Street in Syracuse following Thursday’s collapse of two sections of fascia on to South Clinton Street.

“The response to the collapse has been quick and comprehensive. Again, our priority is ensuring public safety throughout this process, both in the short term and the long term,” Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said in a Friday afternoon media briefing at the scene of the collapse.

South Clinton Street between West Jefferson and West Onondaga streets remains closed until further notice.

The City of Syracuse reopened West Onondaga Street between South Salina Street and West Street at 11:15 p.m. on Thursday night. Authorities had closed the road closed early Thursday afternoon following the collapse.

The New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYS&W) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Friday continued their inspection of the elevated viaduct and work on repairs.

“They’re continuing to determine the cause of the collapse,” said Walsh, noting they have jurisdiction over the railroad tracks.

Based on the information that the City of Syracuse has “available to us at this point, which is limited,” Syracuse officials are not aware of any imminent threats to public safety along the rail corridor.

“That is why we continue to aggressively seek out any available information, and certainly at any point that we determine that there’s any public safety threat, we’ll take the necessary actions,” said Walsh.

A concrete support bearing on which the ends of the fascia rest failed “due to deterioration,” the New York, the NYS&W said in a news release Friday.

On the advice of consulting engineers, a third section of fascia was removed Thursday night during the clean-up process, NYS&W added.

“These fascia sections are not load bearing and serve a mainly decorative purpose but also prevent the railroad ballast (stone) from falling from the elevated structure,” the NYS&W said in its news release.

Requesting FRA assistance

The City of Syracuse is formally requesting that the FRA provide copies of the most recent inspection reports on the NYS&W elevated viaduct through the city of Syracuse, conducted by the FRA and the [NYS&W], Walsh said.

City officials also want the FRA to conduct an “immediate” inspection of the entire elevated viaduct as it goes throughout the city of Syracuse.

“We’re asking them to do that prior to rail service commencing,” said Walsh.

The City is also requesting additional assistance.

It also wants the FRA to provide an explanation of its oversight process in restoring rail service and to provide additional inspection and oversight prior to the resumption of service.

“We’re asking the FRA to do a formal audit of past inspections conducted by the railroad, and finally we’re asking the FRA to provide information to the general public as quickly and as often as possible,” he said.

The City has also sent a similar letter to NYS&W requesting similar actions, Walsh noted.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com