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CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 8:08 am
by M.D.Bentley
Between 2 & 3 am. The algoma Soo or Sue damaged the bridge. CN 383 SB sitting north of the bridge blocking Delray since about 4 AM. Conrail B & B on the scene accessing the situation right now. The 383 will be shoved north and rerouted over the NS bridge. No rail traffic at this time.

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 8:34 am
by Michael
Is it this ship ALGOMA SAULT ?
It is a brand new Canadian carrier
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/de ... mo:9619282

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 10:12 am
by kenN
Can someone be specific about where this bridge is?

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 10:28 am
by M.D.Bentley
Michael wrote:Is it this ship ALGOMA SAULT ?
It is a brand new Canadian carrier
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/de ... mo:9619282
Yes that's the one.

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 10:30 am
by M.D.Bentley
kenN wrote:Can someone be specific about where this bridge is?
Located on the Rouge river south of The Detroit community of Delray.

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 12:52 pm
by GP30M4216
The Conrail Bridge is probably the most difficult to navigate in the Rouge; there's a significant turn in the river just to the north, and there are active docks on both sides of the river in that area. Currents have been running faster than usual due to all the recent rain. A couple ore boats destined for AK Steel dropped anchor in nearby anchorages for a day to wait for the current to calm down just a little.

Here's a photo of the bridge looking upriver:
Image

The damage to the ship must have been minor, it's already upbound in the St. Clair River.

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 1:18 pm
by KenB
So is the bridge open to rail traffic now?

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 2:51 pm
by KenB
Sounds like the CR bridge is open to train traffic 1500. Ten mph slope order over the bridge.

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 7:14 pm
by M.D.Bentley
More info. The tug assisting the ship apparently shoved it into the bridge. Slow orders in place . Track was misaligned, CR B & B crews were on scene most of the day. Outside engineering firm checking things out. More as it becomes available.

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 7:20 pm
by M.D.Bentley
More info....the bridge was open / in the up position when the ship side swiped the bridge. The damage is considerable. THE SHIP, AFTER CLEARING THE ROUGE RIVER ( 2 hours ! ), made the call stating what had happened. An engineering firm was called in to assess the damage, which is quite considerable. The repairs have to done NOW ! Today men and equipment started arriving to do the work. They will start and work until the repairs are complete. The reason behind the expediency is that every time the bridge is raised for river traffic the cracks get wider and extend ! Slow order still in place for track 2, track 1 is out of service. CN is still routing their trains over the NS bridge.

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 10:56 pm
by hoborich
THE SHIP, AFTER CLEARING THE ROUGE RIVER ( 2 hours ! ), made the call stating what had happened.
Not real familiar with the bridge. But isn't there a bridge operator or someone to notice or witness what happened a little bit sooner.

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Sat May 19, 2018 9:42 am
by GP30M4216
These photos might be helpful:
Aerial map of the lower Rouge River showing context to Delray and other nearby junctions.
Aerial map of the lower Rouge River showing context to Delray and other nearby junctions.
Conrail Bridge is in the center of this photo.  Docks immediately up and down river on both sides are active, and that plus the curve in the river make this a very challenging location, particularly in a current or wind.
Conrail Bridge is in the center of this photo. Docks immediately up and down river on both sides are active, and that plus the curve in the river make this a very challenging location, particularly in a current or wind.
The Conrail Bridge, looking downriver, in the fully raised position.
The Conrail Bridge, looking downriver, in the fully raised position.
Even fully raised, you can see that the bridge hangs over the wooden bumpers below....and any strike of the fenders counts as a "collision" same as if a railcar or locomotive actually makes contact with a bumping post. Note also that the Algoma Sault has large bridge wings which overhang at 40/50' elevation....just one more thing to watch out for.
Not real familiar with the bridge. But isn't there a bridge operator or someone to notice or witness what happened a little bit sooner.
I'm sure the Coast Guard and the Railroad were immediately notified by their respective crews. The both the vessel and the bridge would be inspected immediately. If the vessel was clear to depart, they would do so, and may have been filling out (or simply relaying) details at a later time.
CN is still routing their trains over the NS bridge.
I wonder how much congestion is being caused simply because the Shoreline was single tracked from NS-Bridge to YD area about 10 years ago?

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Sat May 19, 2018 7:57 pm
by M.D.Bentley
So, the ship once cleared to head outbound and bridges opened has to keep moving regardless, until it is safe to stop and make notification of the incident and check the damage. The ships crew apparently thought the damage was minor at the time and followed protocol. Believe it or not was 2 hours until they reached the Detroit river and did their thing. Being empty made it ride higher and may have been a factor. There are cameras all over the bridge and should help with the investigation. Yes, a bridge operator was on duty at the time.

"I'm sure the Coast Guard and the Railroad were immediately notified by their respective crews. The both the vessel and the bridge would be inspected immediately. If the vessel was clear to depart, they would do so, and may have been filling out (or simply relaying) details at a later time".
NOT the case here ! The time line, from the estimated time of impact to the first call being received is just over the 2 hour mark.

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Sun May 20, 2018 9:29 pm
by 12Bridge
GP30M4216 wrote:These photos might be helpful:



Even fully raised, you can see that the bridge hangs over the wooden bumpers below....and any strike of the fenders counts as a "collision" same as if a railcar or locomotive actually makes contact with a bumping post. Note also that the Algoma Sault has large bridge wings which overhang at 40/50' elevation....just one more thing to watch out for.


I wonder how much congestion is being caused simply because the Shoreline was single tracked from NS-Bridge to YD area about 10 years ago?
Actually its an allision.

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Sun May 20, 2018 9:31 pm
by 12Bridge
GP30M4216 wrote:These photos might be helpful:



Even fully raised, you can see that the bridge hangs over the wooden bumpers below....and any strike of the fenders counts as a "collision" same as if a railcar or locomotive actually makes contact with a bumping post. Note also that the Algoma Sault has large bridge wings which overhang at 40/50' elevation....just one more thing to watch out for.


I wonder how much congestion is being caused simply because the Shoreline was single tracked from NS-Bridge to YD area about 10 years ago?
Actually its an allision.

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Sun May 20, 2018 10:11 pm
by hoborich
Yes, a bridge operator was on duty at the time.
The time line, from the estimated time of impact to the first call being received is just over the 2 hour mark.
Track was misaligned, CR B & B crews were on scene most of the day.
Not to beat a dead horse here, but did no trains go over the bridge during the night, in the two hour period before it was reported? Did the bridge operator not report it or think it necessary?

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 10:51 am
by Ben Higdon
The Lee A Tregurtha has been anchored at the Belle Isle anchorage at least since yesterday early afternoon. This is one of the ships normally on the Marquette - AK Steel run. Facebook post claims its because the bridge is out of service, although sometimes they anchor here due to Rouge River currents as well.

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 3:24 pm
by GTW6401
Lee A Tregurtha is approaching AK Steel in the Rouge now. I saw them pull into the anchorage around 1230pm yesterday.

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 6:49 pm
by Michael
Marine Tracking shows the Algoma Sault back at the scene of the crime.
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/ho ... 85/zoom:15

Re: CR bridge hit by ship !

Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 7:11 pm
by M.D.Bentley
River traffic was shut off while emergency repairs were being made. Repairs completed after around the clock work that started Friday afternoon. The investigation continues......