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Resident warns of corroded rail underpass near hospital; city says railroad inspects annually
Summary
A resident told Ashtabula City Council that corrosion on the Lake Avenue underpass between 30 First and 30 Second streets risks emergency access to the nearby hospital. City Manager Timonier said CSX inspects the span annually by federal law and that the city is following up with the railroad.
A resident told the Ashtabula City Council on May 19 that heavy corrosion on a railroad underpass on Lake Avenue is creating safety concerns for drivers and emergency vehicles headed to the city hospital.
Anthony Oquendo, a resident, described photos he posted online and distributed to council members showing what he called “significant corrosion eating away at the steel beams” on the underpass between 30 First and 30 Second streets. “Many refused to even stop under the bridge,” he said, adding his post had “over 340 shares.”
The resident noted the city’s history with a major train disaster in 1876 and argued that an impassable or collapsing underpass on a main route to the hospital could produce “significant detours and delays that could prove fatal when time is everything.”
City Manager Timonier told council that the span is owned by CSX and that “they are, by federal law, have to inspect it every year.” Timonier said the city does not receive CSX’s inspection reports, but that the railroad has previously passed inspections and has done some work and painting on the structure in recent years. He said he has scheduled a follow-up call with the railroad this week to press for a plan to replace or otherwise remediate the bridge.
Timonier also said the city contracts with the Ohio Department of Transportation for inspections of city-owned bridges and receives ODOT ratings for those structures. Council members discussed possible next steps including a council resolution asking the railroad for a timetable and, if needed, engaging congressional leadership to press for action.
Council members and staff urged residents who share Mr. Oquendo’s concerns to contact CSX directly; Mr. Oquendo said he posted a CSX contact phone number with his images. No formal council vote or ordinance was taken at the May 19 meeting; the city manager said he will continue follow-up with the railroad and other agencies.
Mr. Oquendo’s public comment and the city manager’s response highlighted two ongoing points: the structure is railroad-owned and subject to annual federal inspections, and the city is pursuing additional discussions with the railroad about repairs or replacement. Council members discussed drafting a resolution at a future meeting to press CSX for action and to coordinate with elected representatives if needed.
