Feds: Rail Bridge Over Bergen County Reservoir Is Deteriorating
ORADELL, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Part of a small Bergen County rail bridge is crumbling, according to a federal inspection.
The Federal Railroad Administration found that the deck of a 25-foot bridge that passes over the Oradell Reservoir is deteriorating, WCBS 880's Sean Adams reported. Trains carry millions of gallons of oil every week over the reservoir, which supplies drinking water to 800,000 people.
Feds: Rail Bridge Over Bergen County Reservoir Is Deteriorating
Following recent train derailments and fiery oil tanker explosions, the transportation of volatile Bakken crude on the rails has been under the microscope. New Jersey Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox reportedly wants bridge inspection reports sent to him, not just to the feds.
Rob Doolittle, a spokesman for railroad company CSX, said the Oradell Reservoir bridge itself is sound and some ties have been replaced.
"We've planned for some time now to replace the deck of the bridge," he said. "Again, that's part of our routine maintenance for bridges like this. The work was planned last year and will be completed sometime later this year."
United Water has an emergency plan in the event of an oil spill.
