City leaders held a special meeting this week to discuss a recent weight rating reduction on the Norfolk Southern Bridge on Garvey Avenue in Elsmere.
The reduction in weight rating from 27 tons to 13 tons came after a recent structural analysis by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, though more information about what specifically led to the reduction was not made public.
This has left Elsmere leaders unsure of what to do next about a bridge that sits on one of the city’s main thoroughfares.
Well, except Public Works Director Chris Zerhusen’s team, which was responsible for notifying residents of the recent changes.
“Luckily we were able to get the signs pretty quick,” Zerhusen said.
Though Elsmere doesn’t own the bridge, it is responsible for things like, in this case, placing roughly 20 new signs and posts regarding the reduced weight capacity and potential detours for emergency services, delivery trucks and cargo.
Mayor Marty Lenhof said it would be good to hear from Norfolk Southern at a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18 so that the city can figure out next steps.
“I think we’re going to have a good size update on what’s wrong with the bridge,” Lenhof said.
Norfolk Southern shared a statement with LINK nky on July 26 that it was “notified of concerns over the condition of the bridge last week and have been in close communication with state and local officials to determine a course of action.”
Lenhof called for the company to work with KYTC to address the problem quickly.
“The safety impacts of this change are significant, and residents deserve a reliable solution,” he said.
Elsmere Fire Chief Paul LaFontaine said when the news came down in July that the downgrade presents an unacceptable risk for the city’s residents.
“Our apparatus cannot cross the bridge under the new limit, and when Main Street is blocked by trains, which happens frequently, our ability to reach people calling 911 is delayed,” LaFontaine said. “We are urging Norfolk Southern to take immediate corrective action. Public safety must be the priority.”
