NS - East Neversink Road Arch

Saw an article in yesterdays local paper that this underpass has been opened to traffic.New concrete barriers were installed restricting traffic to one lane which was originally what traffic was through the underpass.The height was raised to 12 feet 8 inches as a result of lowering the roadway which I think is a great idea along with truck traffic can now travel through this underpass.This includes J.P. Mascaro trash trucks that don't have to use residential streets.

Just read in the local paper that work on this underpass is proceeding slowly due to winter weather.A stretch of cold weather shut down the asphalt plants temporarily.Runoff from recent rains also has delayed completion of the work.Reopening,originally expected by the end of December has been pushed to spring.When work is completed it will end over 4 years of delays.

Just read in the local paper that work has begun to increase clearance at this underpass.A contractor for N/S began preliminary work last week,removing the steel beam structure that was installed in early 2016 as part of a repair project to the stone arch bridge that carries 2 tracks over East Neversink and Painted Sky roads.Excavation to lower the road surface and increase the vertical clearance began this week.Looks like the work is finally being accomplished.

Just read in yesterdays local paper that construction is scheduled to start tomorrow on this underpass and may take 6 to 8 weeks to complete.Road detours are and will still be in effect during construction.

According to an article printed in the local paper this past week the state Department of Environmental Protection has agreed to issue Norfolk Southern an emergency permit to begin working on this underpass which is being labeled a safety issue.The emergency permit could be issued by 9/3/19 with construction hopefully completed by the end of the year.DEP has agreed to allow Norfolk Southern to seek additional required permits concurrent to construction,recognizing the significant safety risks and inconveniences that township residents have suffered during the closure.

Just read in todays local paper that this underpass is still closed.The Pennsylvania PUC had originally given N/S Railway Co until the end of June to correct clearance issues.The PUC's Rail Safety Engineering Section has notified N/S that since the completion date has passed,N/S needs to file updated information regarding how they will proceed with the project,according to the PUC's press secretary.The Exeter township solicitor will contact the PUC to see what action can be taken to have N/S finish this project.If the railroad applies to the PUC for an extension,Exeter township can object to it which will lead to the PUC scheduling a court hearing.Hopefully N/S will finish this project and avoid any further delays.When and if I hear anything through the news media on this issue I will post the information here.

Just saw a picture of this bridge in todays paper and saw the year 1923 stamped in the concrete at the top of the arch.Don't know if that is the year this bridge was built or as I mentioned in a previous article that this was when work was done on this bridge.

Thanks Luke for correcting the information on this bridge.Now let's see if Norfolk/Southern does what they say they'll do concerning the underpass.

Thanks Dana and Kay.I read in the paper that this arched bridge numbered 54/03 that the underpass I mentioned crosses under was made of brown sandstone which was favored for early railroad bridges and lined with a brick interior.A concrete arch addition on the eastern side widened the bridge by several feet.The bridge was enlarged and strengthened in 1923.The abutments on the western side were encased in reinforced concrete,but the stone arch remained uncovered.All of this information was in the earlier article I posted but I didn't mention these facts because I wanted to see if any historical information was revealed that might be what I read.Hopefully this information helps and i'll post any further information I get in the future.

nice find George