Work set to begin to replace Paulsboro swing bridge

Work is set to begin soon to replace the Paulsboro railroad bridge where a freight train derailed over the Mantua Creek last year.

The initial phase will begin early next week to construct a movable bridge to replace the span that gave way in the Nov. 30 derailment, said Michael Hotra, a spokesman for Conrail, which owns the bridge.

"This is very good news," said Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D., Gloucester), a former mayor of Paulsboro. "One can argue that it's 57 years late, but you can't look backwards."

Four tank cars spilled into the water when the bridge failed. One car ruptured, releasing about 20,000 gallons of hazardous vinyl chloride into the atmosphere and eventually forcing the evacuation of nearly 700 people.

Investigators later determined the bridge had not been locked properly for rail traffic when the derailment occurred.

Federal authorities inspected the bridge and pronounced it safe for train traffic after the derailed cars were removed from the waterway.

But since the derailment, the bridge has remained in the locked position, allowing rail traffic to pass above, but not boat traffic beneath.

Repairing the draw or swing function of the existing bridge would take the same amount of time as building a new one, so Conrail decided to replace it, Hotra said.

"The decision to build a new bridge comes after extensive study determined that repairing the existing bridge was not feasible and that a new bridge was the best option," Hotra said.

The new construction means the bridge will remain closed to boat traffic until fall, an inconvenience for recreational boaters.

Under federal regulations, the bridge is to be closed from Dec. 1 to March 1 each year, when it ordinarily reopens to boats.

Hotra said most of the construction work would be done during business hours, and road closures or disruptions for residents or business owners were not expected.

Work will continue next month, and new pilings should be installed by February. Crews will begin demolishing the current bridge in the summer, he said.

The entire project is slated for completion by September 2014, Hotra said Thursday.

"We're looking forward to getting the bridge replaced and back in service again," he said.

Hotra declined to disclose the cost of replacing the bridge. The troublesome span was built in 1873.

The low, A-frame swing bridge on wood pilings was the scene of a less serious derailment in 2009.

The bridge was rebuilt after that accident.

After last year's derailment, the National Transportation Safety Board released thousands of pages of documents citing numerous problems with the bridge's condition.

At least 15 lawsuits have been filed against Conrail and other parties linked to the train or its cargo.

Most seek damages for economic losses or medical monitoring for potential health problems.

"There are lessons to be learned from this," Burzichelli said.