An increase in train traffic between Seymour and Louisville will not directly affect Columbus, but other railroad changes are coming that will have an impact on the city.
The Louisville and Indiana is expected to be increasing train traffic on the southern stretch of its rail line with about 10 trains a day, moving at almost 50 mph and some stretching more than two and a half miles long. CSX had an agreement with the Louisville and Indiana to use the tracks. However, those trains will turn east toward Cincinnati rather than continuing north to Columbus said Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop.
A bigger impact on the city of Columbus will be next year’s planned replacement of the Louisville and Indiana railroad bridge over the Flat Rock River, north of Noblitt Park.
Lienhoop said that the current bridge doesn’t have the height or weight limits to handle the larger loads, but that will change when the bridge is replaced:
He said there could be 10 trains a day with delays at crossings or more than 20 minutes. The city is now working with consultants to quantify how many people would be affected and for how long. Those figures will help the city make the case for lost economic impact, which could help raise federal money to put solutions in place.
Lienhoop said that the bridge is set for replacement in the second quarter of next year. The new bridge will be constructed beside the existing bridge and the replacement will happen over one weekend, the mayor said.
Lienhoop said that the bridge is set for replacement in the second quarter of next year. The new bridge will be constructed beside the existing bridge and the replacement will happen over one weekend, the mayor said.