March 4, 2013
*Norfolk Southern notes 100th anniversary of vital rail link across the
Ohio River*
NORFOLK, VA. - Today marks the 100-year anniversary of the completion of
the modern version of Norfolk Southern' s bridge over the Ohio River
between South Point, Ohio, and Kenova, W.Va. - a dependable link in the
nation's freight rail transportation infrastructure.
The bridge, on NS' Pocahontas Division main line, carries essential
freight rail traffic and supports economic development in the Tri-State
region and Ohio River Valley. "It' s an important component of the
Heartland Corridor, NS' groundbreaking public-private partnership that
connects Virginia' s ports to Midwestern markets to expedite the movement
of international commerce," said Mickey Runyon, NS assistant division
superintendent, Bluefield, W.Va. "At the same time, it handles a steady
amount of grain, coal, and general merchandise. With some 35 trains a
day, and double-stack clearance, it's a workhorse." '
"The bridge is crucial to the operations of the Pocahontas Division,"
added Gary Shepard, NS division superintendent, Bluefield. "It is an
example of the type of quality and hard work produced by our valued
employees."
Although the bridge is 100, its durability is unquestioned. NS bridge
forces monitor and maintain it for reliability and safety. "The bridge
has undergone major upgrades several times over the past century, and
its excellent condition is a reflection of the industry' s continual
investment - without taxpayer dollars - to give the nation an economic
competitive edge," said Jim Carter, NS chief engineer, Atlanta. "Like
everything on the railroad, it is well-designed and systematically
well-maintained. We fully expect it to be serviceable for another 100
years."
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