Andy's Angles: Theodore Street

 

I've said it here before.  I'll say it again.  We have this horrible habit in this area of neglecting things until there is a problem.  The solution, most of the time, is to tear it down.  Friends, here is something that cannot be replaced.

This is the railroad bridge going over Theodore Street in Scranton.  Rust.  Decay.  Falling concrete.  The city had the street cut to one lane while the owner, Norfolk Southern, shores up the bridge.  The bridge has to remain open.  You can detour cars and trucks.  You can't detour a freight train.

There are stop signs at both ends of the one lane section.  Drivers have to use the honor system.  This is an accident waiting to happen.

Norfolk Southern is working on repairs, and has put up boards to keep concrete from falling on to the cars below.

I have to add, a neighborhood resident started sending pictures of the deteriorating bridge out to the news media.  Questions were asked.  Cages rattled, and the city finally stepped in to tell the railroad to do something.

You have to wonder what disaster could have happened here.