Plans are in the works to improve the appearance of the 28th Street Railroad Bridge. There is currently a lot of rust, which has been an issue for years, but officials say the structure is sound.
What is going on with this ‘rusted’ railroad bridge in Lorain?
Following a June 12 visit to the bridge by CSX, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and Lorain city leaders, News 5 learned of a plan to address certain issues.
Lorain Safety Service Director Rey Carrion told News 5’s Tiffany Tarpley that the city will apply for a CSX project to sandblast the bridge and perform other cosmetic improvements. If everything goes well, it could happen in 2026.
According to Carrion, CSX has stated that the bridge is safe and was built in the early 1900s to carry the load of a 1,000-ton steam engine, but nothing of that size currently crosses the bridge.
CSX responded to News 5’s request for comment after our previous story was broadcast. It stated, in part, that safety is the company’s primary responsibility.
“The company prioritizes the safety and structural integrity of its network bridges.” While we understand concerns about a bridge’s appearance, it is important to note that the aesthetics of a rail bridge are rarely related to its structural integrity.
Carrion also stated that the 21st Street Railroad Bridge is structurally sound. He stated that CSX will repair the concrete columns sometime this year.
We follow through. Do you want us to continue following up on a story? Let us know.
