NS Service Update, 11/12:
Major progress achieved toward restoring flood-disrupted service in South Carolina
This service update departs from previous reports in focusing on a specific territory in South Carolina where operations were disrupted following unprecedented flooding in October.
Thanks to the round-the-clock efforts of our maintenance of way people and the splendid cooperation of our bridge contractors and suppliers, all service has been restored except for operations on the line between Columbia and Spartanburg. Washout of a major section of a trestle 9 miles northwest of Columbia over the Broad River required rebuilding the structure. That work continues, though completion of the bridge has been delayed by additional rainfall since the initial flooding disaster.
Meanwhile, by rerouting traffic and other contingency measures, we have continued to serve the affected territory with minimal disruptions.
We recognize that reroutings and other measures have resulted in some delays. We are committed to finishing construction of the bridge at the earliest possible time to restore the level of service all our customers expect and that we commit to provide. This project underscores our commitment to investing in infrastructure that supports the highest level of customer service and safe, efficient transportation operations.
Here are some highlights and photographs of our progress in rebuilding the bridge:
- 506 feet of the trestle was damaged or destroyed. Together with the length of embankment that washed away at the south approach, we made plans to construct 660 feet of trestle to bridge the gap. We determined that 24 spans or 526 feet of the trestle at the north end remained serviceable and could be incorporated in the rebuilt structure.
- We initially estimated reopening the line segment in five weeks, by Nov. 9. Because of additional rainfall amounts causing continuous ground saturation, and other unforeseen conditions of the subsurface, that timetable is extended to Nov. 20.
- With an anticipated pre-Thanksgiving reopening, the trestle when completed will be a substantial improvement over the former structure. We expect it will serve customers on this important line segment for generations into the future.
To add a note about our overall efforts to improve customer service throughout our network, we continue to see encouraging metrics pointing to a developing trend toward better performance. Our commitment to delivering superior service is unwavering. Thank you for demonstrating your confidence in Norfolk Southern by selecting us to handle your freight transportation needs.