MNRR had bad break but now Cos Cob CP fixed

[blue streak 1]

This morning the MNRR swing bridge failed to close.  MNRR & Amtrak delayed for hours.  Report said MNRR was having problems with wedges and gears.   Gears do not sound very good but will leave analysis to more knowledgeable posters.   Connecticut governor mentioned that they had applied for funds to replace.  Note state senator said that MNRR does not have a comprehensive analysis of problems locations.  The question is what does the Senator think the request for funds to replace bridge is all about ?

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/654b29733d254c68b5dbbd7c5f8424c3/CT--Metro-North-Bridge-Delay

 

 

[blue streak 1]

Explanation of the cause of problem not very specific.

 

http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/delay0529.htm

 

 

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Any transit agency won't get overly detailed into the cause of the problem because most commuters don't really care much beyond how bad the service delays will be.

[NKP guy]

Whenever and however MNRR solves this decrepit bridge problem you can be sure that they will get it right.  The State of Connecticut is not going to sit by idly if this vital artery is indefinitely severed.  I predict that money will be found and expedited for this project.  Now, here in Ohio everybody would just be plain outta luck for next foreseeable decade, even if passenger trains were involved.  

I've lived in Connecticut and Ohio.  Connecticut will have a new bridge in operation before Ohio ever could.  Nutmeggers have a great deal of pride in their state's railroad past, present and future.  

Math word problem:  At what time in its 117 year lifespan did the Walk Bridge over the Norwalk River amortize itself?

[blue streak 1]

NKP guy

:  At what time in its 117 year lifespan did the Walk Bridge over the Norwalk River amortize itself?

 

  Question :  Have seen Walk bridge spoken as both a swing bridge and bascule.  Can anyone clarify ?

[blue streak 1]

Off topic Up date on burned control center near Cos Cob.

http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/coscob.html

[blue streak 1]

Now for the rest of the story.  According to the linked newspaper the bridge is actually owned by the state of Connecticut.  Strange isn't it ?  Immediately various pols in Hartford started the finger pointing.  Several stabs at previous governors and legislators.  Have fun /? ? ? 

 

http://www.courant.com/community/norwalk/hc-metro-north-delays-0530-20140529,0,7709068.story

 

 

[blue streak 1]

Well it appears another failure today of the Walk bridge.  Conn governor screaming.  does he realize it is all about neglect by the state since it is state owned and not MNRR ?

http://wtnh.com/2014/06/06/malloy-wants-mta-summit-to-discuss-bridge-woes/

No posts on MNRR web site at this hour so maybe bridge fixed ?

 

 

[BaltACD]

blue streak 1

Well it appears another failure today of the Walk bridge.  Conn governor screaming.  does he realize it is all about neglect by the state since it is state owned and not MNRR ?

http://wtnh.com/2014/06/06/malloy-wants-mta-summit-to-discuss-bridge-woes/

No posts on MNRR web site at this hour so maybe bridge fixed ?

 

 

Replace the bridge today - but don't spend any money doing it!

[henry6]

Bridge is closed but only two tracks were opened for traffic. Second time in a few weeks same bridge has had a problem. I challenge anyone who thinks they can get it up and down when well over a hundred years old like Walk Bridge. Question posed especially to the Governor of CT who obviously knows nothing about infrastructure repair and replacement when there is no financing by any involved government from Hartford to D.C. We have a problem in this country of "if it runs, let it run, pay no attention". Then when something goes wrong point fingers at everyone in sight blaming everyone except those who could have prevented the problem instead of letting it run and ignoring it.

[blue streak 1]

BaltACD

Replace the bridge today - but don't spend any money doing it!

 

 Right ! !   linked tv report says trains now crossing on one or 2 tracks at 1 MPH !  Passengers might " walk "  faster between the 2 stations ?  ( pun intended ) 

 

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/06/06/norwalk-bridge-failure-causes-delays-on-metro-norths-new-haven-line/

[blue streak 1]

Update as of 5/27/2014 of CosCob bungalow fire.  Partial control restored but by personnel at location,  ( temporary tower ?? )  Article says looking for solution by year's end.  Really takes time to rebuild these things. 

 

http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/coscob.html

 

 

[MidlandMike]

blue streak 1

 

  Question :  Have seen Walk bridge spoken as both a swing bridge and bascule.  Can anyone clarify ?

Looking at Google Earth, it appears to be a swing bridge, with a central piling area.

 41° 6'1.57"N  73°24'55.00"W

There is also a Panoramio photo taken from the highway bridge to the south, that shows it as a swing bridge in the (mostly) open position.

[rcdrye]

Why are they opening the bridge for recreational boat traffic?  Let the yachtsmen tool around the basin.  The two barges in the basin look like the only commercial traffic.

Senator Blumenthal has writen a letter to the Coast Guard asking it to limit openings.  He also says that the bridge will be replaced "whenever the Department of Transportation provides $349 million in Hurricane Sandy resiliency funding."

 

http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Blumenthal-Limit-Walk-Bridge-openings-5537964.php

[blue streak 1]

rcdrye

http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Blumenthal-Limit-Walk-Bridge-openings-5537964.php

 

16 failures for 271 openings in 2013 !!  That is totally unacceptable.  The bridge does need to be on a very short list of replacement.  Anyone know if there is room to build a non opening flyover of WALK ?.

[henry6]

I have seen a lock on the NYS barge canal be flooded to raise water for a kayak! It is evidently marine navigation law based on the fact the waterway was there before a road or railroad that bridges must be opened. And I believe most of the Shore Line Bridges...and the Manasquan Inlet bridge on NJT...normal position is open to water navigation being put down to accommodate train traffic. On the Shore Line this is more seasonal, I think, being open in summer but allowed to be closed in winter.

[blue streak 1]

More smoke and mirrors from Connecticut governor about Walk bridge.

http://www.darientimes.com/32601/cameron-the-billion-dollar-bridges/

 

 

[BARFlyer]

The problem is this will have to be replaced with another swing bridge ( not likely) or  a one sided, or two sided center lift type. Whats crazy is the build time. Center lift type can be built in sections and floated to the location. This was just done to a same era bridge in Portsmouth, NH was done in a little over a year. There is another they intend to replace with a car upper and railroad lower deck which is a center ( and small side) lift  bridge. Having the small side lift area ensures navigation for all water craft except the big barges and Tankers that come through. With a swing bride building next to it while its being used will be tedious. Be interesting to see how they handle this...

[blue streak 1]

BARFLYER:  Correct  about not building a new swing bridge.  History has shown that many old swing bridges are failing.  The single pivot can fail with disastrous results.  As well the pivot is considered by the coast guard as restricting the navigation of larger ships and barges.  IMHO the ideal replacement would be a double set of double bascule bridges.  That way most could be built before 2 tracks would have to shut down for final construction.  Then build the other two.

A lift bridge always has to be built to the highest clearance anticipated.  As well again the lift would need to be built as 2 separate bridges. 

Both construction methods once complete will give redundancy so if one bridge faisl there would still be 2 tracks available.  A new swing bridge cannot accomplish that fact. 

Either lift or bascule will probably require some additional land on each side of the tracks to construct the side works. As well at least in that area wider track clearances can be built although only a short section. .

We can expect that track 2 or 3 will have to be shut down for inside foundation work from time to time. 

[henry6]

Jim Cameron's piece in the Darien Times speaks as much to Connecticut and its governor as it does to all states and their governors as well as to our Country and Government officials. Our tax structure allows for a depreciation of property, our philosophy toward infrastructure to build for at most 25-30 years ahead. When the depreciation period is over and the built in life span reaches it's birthday, we pinch and patch in hopes that the inevitable will just go away and we live happily ever after. We don't, in this country, plan for the present or the future in an effort to save money, not raise taxes and hackles. We are shortsighted, pennywise and pounds foolish, irresponsible to the present and the future. And while Cameron's solution is to pass the bridge projects, along with the Shore Line, off to Amtrak or the Federal Government, it isn't really a solution but the same old same old of passing the responsibility away from contemporary shoulders of Connecticut government(because of their failures) and on to the rest of the country (i.e. taxpayers). Even if his idea is a good one, so far Washington doesn't appear to be in any mood to take on such a program or any other infrastructure program. Either the states have to step up and do what they have to, address the responsibilities they are charged with or surrender all to the Federal government. It is a polarized political issue which has gone on for years taking the life of zombie like form in D.C. Instead of polarized politics. stillborn ideas, pressing need that go unheeded, we must decide on what we want to do, who we want to do it, and move forward. Running in place just makes deeper ruts.

[Firelock76]

It's been said, and it's probably true, that there's plenty of money available for infrastucture maintanance and even new infrastructure projects, but the problem is elected officials (no party is guilt-free by the way) diverting said money to "ego" projects, i.e. stadiums named after politicians, buildings named after politicians, parks named after politicians, and so on.  You get the picture.

The really annoying thing is a lot of these aforementioned projects are named after office holders who aren't even dead yet!  Which can lead to even more money being spent removing the name from the project if a nasty skeleton comes rattling out of the closet! 

[blue streak 1]

Another rock slide POU - Peekskill Lake shore still waiting at NYP for slide to be removed.

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/2014/07/19/train-metro-north-delays/12892339/

 

 

[blue streak 1]

Short term fixes are set.  $3M noted but just how much more ?

 

http://www.rtands.com/index.php/passenger/commuter-regional/report-outlines-short-term-fixes-to-better-walk-bridge.html?channel=280

 

[blue streak 1]

blue streak 1

Off topic Up date on burned control center near Cos Cob.

Cos Cob interlocking finished .  Good explanation here.  They were able to rob another interlocking plant under construction to replace.  No mention of what was robbed.

http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/coscob.html