The Sept. 7 editorial, “More detail needed on rail bridge inspections,” perpetuates two fundamental falsehoods: that railroad bridges are not safe and corresponding data are not transparent.
The editorial notes a comment by Federal Railroad Administration head Sarah Feinberg that exterior signs of wear and age on a bridge can be deceiving. This is true. The safety of a bridge has nothing to do with how good it looks on the outside. In fact, inspecting a rail bridge is a complex and thorough process that requires specialized training. Bridge inspectors working for the nation’s railroads meticulously scrutinize a bridge to assess its structural integrity and make sure it is safe.
Railroad bridges are an incredibly safe segment of the nation’s infrastructure, and the ongoing inspection of these structures is overseen by the Federal Railroad Administration. And while railroads work with local officials to address bridge safety, they also continue to meet reporting standards mandated by the U.S. Congress.
Public safety is the freight rail industry’s top priority with the inspection and monitoring of bridges a 24/7 safety-first process.
Patricia M. Reilly
Senior Vice President, Association of American Railroads
Washington, D.C.
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