Dick Zellerbach Wrote:
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> Howard, what is their plan, in the event, that one
> of the bridges collapses, and th Engineer and
> Conductor are killed? Who pays for that? Santa
> Cruz Taxpayers, or California Taxpayers? Either
> way, sounds like Taxpayers are screwed. Why
> doesn't Santa Cruz repair the bridges, like, RIGHT
> NOW? Those bridges are dangerous. Why are all of
> you in Santa Cruz so casual about this?

Dick,

These questions were asked at a previous RTC meeting and the Iowa Pacific representative stated that they were responsible and had $50M plus in insurance to satisfy any claims.

Regarding the bridges, there are 20+ bridges on the branch line and JL Patterson inspected them all recently. All except for three, the bridges at MP 4.87, MP 9.09 and MP 11.16, were in good enough condition to handle multi locomotive trains with loads such as were delivered and picked up at Cemex. The Iowa Pacific bridge inspector inspected the three bridges that were not in serviceable condition for heavy freight loads and stated the following:

The structures inspector for the SCMB Railway (Iowa Pacific) also inspected these structures and determined that the rehabilitation work recommended by JL Patterson needs to be done and that the bridges should not be used for normal loading conditions; however, at “restricted use” or “slow order” the bridges can continue to be in service until the rehabilitation work is completed. In his report, the SCMB Railway inspector states, “I am confident that every bridge inspected could, in their current conditions, be used under limited and controlled circumstances to move equipment to the north end.”

Below are links to my coverage of the bridge inspections.

[www.altamontpress.com]

[www.altamontpress.com]