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Rail official tells Prineville council overpass hit again; engineers to test and scope repairs
Summary
A Prineville-area railroad representative reported a repeat strike on a rail overpass, saying damage lifted the span and bent bolts; trains continued after inspection and a 400-ton load test is scheduled. Council discussed signage, lowering highway grade and strike indicators as mitigation.
A railroad representative told the Prineville City Council on Sept. 17 that an overpass bridge used by the local railroad was struck again by an oversized load, producing visible deformation but not an immediate closure.
"Our overpass bridge was hit yet again," said Matt Wiederhold, describing bent plates, displaced bolts and a roughly half-inch lift on one side of the span. Wiederhold said crews ran trains across the structure after a visual inspection and that the railroad has load-rated the bridge at 300 tons; engineers will perform an additional 400-ton load test later in the week.
Wiederhold recounted recent improvements to the bridge, including replacing smaller "fuse" bolts with much larger bolts and switching from a grout pad to an epoxy-based pad, changes he said helped prevent the structure from sliding when struck. He said the railroad will prepare a scope of work from its engineer and that repair work will proceed through a standard bid process; he also said the damage will be submitted as an insurance claim.
Council members asked whether signage or lighting could help prevent future strikes; Wiederhold said signage is controlled by the Oregon Department of Transportation and that, in some incidents, drivers travelling late without permits or flaggers may not be deterred by signs alone. Councilor Ethelman and others recalled prior discussions with ODOT about altering the roadway grade or alignment to gain clearance; Wiederhold said those plans had previously reached a funding phase but were later dropped when right-of-way issues increased costs.
Wiederhold suggested the city and railroad consider strike indicators and additional monitoring. He flagged the biggest ongoing concern as potential deterioration of the concrete piers beneath the bearings; if inspections show worsening movement the railroad would return to council to request expedited repairs.
The council did not vote on immediate remedial action at the meeting; staff said they will follow up with ODOT and the railroad on signage, inspection results and the engineer's scope of work.
