PITTSBURGH — Norfolk Southern has received final approval for clearance projects that will allow double-track container traffic to move on one of its routes through Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday accepted the final portion of an agreement reached by a mediator in December 2019. That agreement will allow three roadway bridges — on West North Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue, and South Negley Avenue — to be raised by 30, 33, and 17 inches respectively. At a fourth location, Columbus Avenue, the tracks will be lowered by 18 inches; at a fifth, Merchant Street, will build a new bridge.
The agreement also requires Norfolk Southern to spend several million dollars to replace a pedestrian bridge at North Avenue and Brighton Road, which was torn down several years ago. It was this portion of the deal that required council approval; that approval will allow Mayor Ed Gainey to finalize the deal with NS.
NS received a $20 million grant in 2017 to increase clearances at 14 bridges in Pennsylvania, including some in Pittsburgh.
Well…. I imagine Double track container traffic would be quite the clearance obstacle….
Silent editing strikes again..
Screw the NIMBYs!
So, five years from receipt of the grant to approval. Actual construction will likely take less than one. Do we see where the problem is here?
Nimbys James, Nimbys. They never give up.
Again, I am puzzled by the delays. A mediator brokered an agreement in December 2019, but it has taken Pittsburgh City Council almost 2.5 years to approve the agreement???
Well about 1/3 to half of the delays are due to Covid-19.