U. S. Senator Charles E. Schumer points to the deterioration of the CSX railroad bridge over Union Street in the Village of Spencerport and is joined at the podium by Spencerport Village Trustees, Ogden Town Supervisor Gay Lenhard, and Spencerport’s Code Enforcement Officer Kevin Kelly.U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer was in the Village of Spencerport on Tuesday, November 20 and called a news conference at the CSX Spencerport bridge to demand and support the village’s effort to have CSX prioritize the removal of the three abandoned and graffiti-ridden railroad bridges in the Town of Ogden including the CSX bridges over Manitou Road and over Washington Street in addition to the Route 259 village overpass.
In his remarks, Senator Schumer said, “CSX can’t put abandoned bridges on the back burner.” He went on to say, “These low-hanging bridges have been abandoned for decades, and CSX has failed to fulfill its commitment to the Ogden and Spencerport communities to remove these deteriorating structures that pose serious danger to motorists and residents.”
Last February, Spencerport Mayor Joyce Lobene reported that she had been informed that CSX hired a contractor to remove all three bridges and the CSX railroad bridge over Union Street in the village would be taken down by the end of the month, but that never happened. Senator Schumer went on to say that CSX ended their railroad service on these tracks in 1982, and with that ended all upkeep and maintenance. Now, the local community widely regards these bridges as unattractive eyesores and safety hazards. Senator Schumer is urging CSX to live up to its commitments and swiftly remove these structures.
Representatives from Tops Supermarket and Rite Aid pharmacy, both of which have had delivery trucks get stuck under the Union Street bridge, joined area residents, elected officials and town and village safety personnel for the news conference.
