Bridge work

AS THE federal government tries to get shovel-ready projects moving to put the unemployed to work, the Recovery Act should not miss the opportunity that work on our decaying bridges offers to stimulate, beautify and make the community safer.

Last month, I introduced a resolution to authorize hearings on the state of disrepair and deterioration of Amtrak bridges in the city, though the scope of the hearings won't be limited to just Amtrak. The hearings will also examine how the neglect of the bridges has hurt the safety and economic development of the neighborhoods where they're located and the disparity between repairs to bridges in the city versus bridges in the suburbs.

No quicker did I introduce the resolution than Amtrak responded. They will send a team of engineers to discuss my concerns and speak about solutions. Unfortunately, it took this resolution and a threat of a lawsuit to quickly make this meeting happen, although these bridges have been deteriorating for years.

One hundred forty-three of the 302 Amtrak bridges in the city and the surrounding four suburban counties have some elements rated "poor" or worse, according to Amtrak's own bridge-inspection reports. Of these 143, almost half are located in the city. The defects include deteriorated metal plates, decaying stone walls, eroded support piers, badly worn girders and missing rivets. Let's not forget the bridge collapse that occurred in Minnesota several years ago. We obviously don't want a repeat here.

Some of these bridges, such as the one over 52nd Street in West Philadelphia, have seen this deterioration lead to neglect of maintenance to property owned by Amtrak, which has created blighted and unsafe conditions like crumbling retaining walls, litter and short dumping, rainwater run-off hazards and falling bridge components. This bridge was also the site of a recent SEPTA train fire.

AND THE LACK of adequate lighting under the bridge has created a dangerous atmosphere. While many of the bridges are on a priority list for repair or replacement, no federal stimulus dollars have been directed to these projects.

The presence of well-maintained, safe bridges and operating train stations has a positive economic impact on the neighborhoods in which they are located as well as for the city as a whole by creating attractive, financially viable business districts or tourist destinations.

It's clear to me that Amtrak is not properly maintaining its property, and it's having a detrimental effect on the surrounding neighborhoods. I want to remind Amtrak of their responsibilities to repair these bridges.

Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. (D) represents the 4th District.