CITY OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — The City of Tonawanda is trying to figure out what more it can do to stop tractor-trailers from hitting and getting stuck under the Young Street CSX railroad overpass.
Several warning signs advise drivers that the train bridge is low with only a clearance of 11' 6".
Thursday morning February 28th, a portion of Young Street was closed for several hours after a truck got stuck under the bridge.
It comes just ten (10) days after another truck got stuck under the same bridge.
7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly spent the day in the problem area talking to residents, businesses and the City of Tonawanda mayor.
CSX issued the following statement concerning the incidents:
“The CSX Engineering Department works closely with local road authorities across our network where our structures may be impacted from traffic. It’s important to note that low clearance warning signs for roadway drivers are the responsibility of the local road authority, and we urge drivers to heed those warnings. CSX is committed to working with the City of Tonawanda to help ensure the safety of our employees and the public.”
A resident near the problem bridge sent 7 Eyewitness News these comments.
"I'm almost 30 years old and this has been happening as long as I can remember. As a child it was amusing but the older I got the more concerning it has become. I don't understand how the bridge is still considered safe after all these years! It brings a lot more traffic down some of the quiet streets around Killawald, Harriet, Elm, and Glenwood - sometimes making it hard to leave your own driveway. Paint the bridge, put up lights, even putting up signs further out at Young Street and State Street."
Devon Zitzka
