Storms 411

Day 103 – 12/2/05, Work on twin spans stays on schedule

Bridge could reopen in late December, supervisor says

With more than half of the required metal replacement spans in place, repairs to the westbound Interstate 10 bridge shattered by Hurricane Katrina's tidal surge are on schedule to wrap up in six weeks.

The second phase of the state Department of Transportation and Development's $30.9 million project will restore two lanes of traffic in each direction between Slidell and New Orleans. The state gave Boh Bros. Construction Co. until Jan. 14 to restore the westbound bridge that bore the brunt of the twin spans' damage when the storm sucked the tidal surge out of Lake Pontchartrain.

"We feel pretty good that we can reach that, and we're hopeful we can get there a little sooner," DOTD spokesman Mark Lambert said as he toured the site by boat Thursday.

Field manager Larry Henley said that if the remaining pieces of repair and installation go smoothly, he hopes to reopen the bridge between Christmas and New Year's Day. The extra two lanes will ease still-snarled traffic and eliminate almost daily fender-benders caused by drivers rubbernecking to observe the massive bridge project. [Read more - nola]

60 Unflooded Buses Found, Yet Another Evacuation Horror Story

Wizbang found 60+ UNFLOODED buses in New Orleans that could have been used to evacuate people who stayed behind when Katrina hit. This picture was taken the Wednesday AFTER Katrina struck the city:

Day 29 – 9/19/05, Causeway to Reopen Today

The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway will reopen to all traffic Monday at 5 a.m., Causeway General Manager Robert Lambert said. There will be no tolls.

The Causeway bridges have been open only to emergency vehicles since Katrina struck Aug. 29.

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Day 22 – 9/13/05, Norfolk Southern Completed Repairs to its Lake Pontchartrain Bridge

Sixteen days after Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana, Norfolk Southern completed repairs to its Lake Pontchartrain Bridge. Nearly five miles of track were washed from the top of the 5.8-mile long rail bridge and into the lake. Nine cranes on barges were used to lift the track out of the water and back onto the bridge. Nine miles of track running through New Orleans itself required major repairs due to washouts and other water-related problems. [link]

Day 22 – 9/13/05, Norfolk Southern Service Alert

Norfolk Southern restored freight service for interchange shipments with BNSF, CN, KCS, and UP, via New Orleans, La., on Tuesday, September 13, 2005.

Repair and service restoration efforts are now focused at returning Norfolk Southern’s Oliver Yard and other facilities at New Orleans to service. Efforts also continue to repair track and gain access into Chalmette via the Florida Avenue Bridge.

Customers in the New Orleans area are encouraged to contact our Central Yard Operations Center at (800) 898-4296 with questions or information regarding current or anticipated service requirements.

Norfolk Southern has lifted all Hurricane Katrina related embargoes with the exception of industries located south of Lake Pontchartrain and the New Orleans area.

This picture was taken by a Norfolk Southern employee of the First NS train to enter New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

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Norfolk Southern Service Alert

September 12, 2005
Working closely with connecting rail carriers to assure safe operations, Norfolk Southern anticipates restoration of some interchange shipments via New Orleans, La., on Tuesday, September 13.

Repair and service restoration efforts are now focused south of Lake Pontchartrain including New Orleans and some of the areas most heavily impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Customers in the New Orleans area are encouraged to contact our Central Yard Operations Center at (800) 898- 4296 with questions or information regarding current or anticipated service requirements.

Norfolk Southern has lifted all Hurricane Katrina related embargoes with the exception of industries located south of Lake Pontchartrain and the New Orleans area. [link]

Norfolk Southern Supports Community and Employee Hurricane Recovery Efforts

NORFOLK , VA -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is providing $1 million for community recovery efforts, while enhancing its other relief-related programs in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

In communities along its lines in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, Norfolk Southern will contribute directly to local and state emergency responders and other community organizations a total of $500,000.

At the same time, Norfolk Southern is matching employee donations to designated national relief organizations, up to a maximum corporate donation of $500,000.

“Norfolk Southern has served the people and industries of the Gulf states for more than 130 years,” said Norfolk Southern Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David R. Goode. “For our local employees, customers and neighbors, we join with those around the world who are devoting their resources to the relief effort.”  [Read more - NSCorp]

Norfolk Southern continues to reroute freight that formerly would travel through New Orleans , and operations are normal with the exception of those in New Orleans itself and on the railroad’s bridge over Lake Pontchartrain . Repairs continue on the bridge, which when reopened will be a key artery for transporting rebuilding supplies and equipment. 

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Day 9 - 8/31/05, Norfolk Southern Post-Katrina Operations Returning To Normal

August 31, 2005 
NORFOLK, VA -- Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE: NSC) said its rail operations in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi are returning to normal in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, with the exception of the immediate New Orleans area.

"Lines are open, trains are moving, and we are ready to do our part in the overall recovery," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David R. Goode. "Communities, customers and recovery organizations can depend on rail transportation. Our thoughts are with them, and our resources are at their call."

Norfolk Southern said freight that regularly travels through New Orleans for connection to other carriers is being rerouted through the railroad’s other gateways.

Since the hurricane struck, Norfolk Southern crews have inspected some 1,400 miles of railroad and removed 3,680 trees on lines in the Gulf States.

Stephen C. Tobias, vice chairman and chief operating officer, credited NS people and systems with the quick and safe recovery. "Railroaders have had their share of experience in responding to hurricanes, from Camille to Andrew and from Fran to Hugo. When Katrina came, they were prepared, they knew what to do, and they did it safely," he said.

Preparations included moving rolling equipment inland and staging people, ballast, rail and equipment just outside the hurricane’s path.

Transportation planners used the railroad’s Thoroughbred Operating Plan to plot "what if" scenarios in advance of Katrina’s arrival, allowing for efficient rerouting of freight.

Tobias said repairs will get under way in the next several days on Norfolk Southern’s 5.8-mile long concrete ballast trestle across Lake Pontchartrain from Slidell, La., to New Orleans, where several miles of rail were washed from the top of the bridge. Additionally, Norfolk Southern’s Oliver Yard in New Orleans was under water as of this morning. "Once we restore rail to the bridge and repair adjacent trackage, and once water recedes, we will be able to move needed materials and supplies into the area," Tobias said. "We recognize the extreme need of our neighbors in New Orleans, and we will work as quickly and safely as possible to help in their recovery."

Day 9 - 8/31/05, New Orleans' Louis Armstrong International Airport is open and operational for relief flights

Operations will "be very, very restricted air service for the weeks to come," aviation director Roy Williams said. "I would hope that by the November time frame that some level of the traditional hospitality, tourism and business activities that we're known for can be under way."

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Day 9 - 8/31/05, Railroad Operations Comes to a Halt

Both Norfolk Southern and CSXT have notified all parties of "Liability under Act of God and the Force Majeure Clause". This clause releases both railroads of liability relating to the loss and/or damage to commodity or product caused by circumstances beyond the reasonable control. These circumstances include damage and loss beginning on or about August 28, 2005, with the occurrence and conditions created as a result of Hurricane Katrina and the damage caused by the uncontrolled rising waters in several states.

The three pictures below shows damaged or missing track along the Norfolk Southern line.

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Day 6 - 8/28/05, Hurricane Katrina Stops Railroad Operations

Norfolk Southern

In preparation for Hurricane Katrina, Norfolk Southern has pulled rolling equipment on its lines near coastal areas and low lying areas in southern Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama inland to higher ground. Operations south of Meridian, Miss., to New Orleans, La., and South of Selma, Ala., to Mobile, Ala., were discontinued early Sunday afternoon. Operations south of Birmingham have been curtailed and will be discontinued later today. Traffic normally moving though these areas for interchange is generally being rerouted in cooperation with other carriers.

Norfolk Southern embargoed all shipments to New Orleans and Mobile.

This action was taken to avoid further complication of operations due to congestion in the area expected to be impacted by the Category 5 storm.

Customers with traffic to, from, or normally moving through the areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina should anticipate delays.

For questions on specific shipments, please contact our Customer Service Operations Center at (800) 635-5768.

For questions regarding potential impact on local service in this area, please contact our Central Yard Operations Center at (800) 898-4296.

CSX

Hurricane Katrina is now a Category 5 storm, and it continues to move WNW in the Gulf of Mexico. Predications are that the storm will make landfall near New Orleans, La., mid-day Monday, Aug. 29. Flood gates in New Orleans were closed at 6 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28, and rail traffic in the area is suspended.

CSXT is monitoring the path of Hurricane Katrina and has activated its hurricane preparedness plan for the Gulf Coast. Some traffic scheduled for interchange with other railroads at New Orleans is being rerouted through different gateways. Weather conditions permitting, rail traffic will continue to run as usual today from Mobile east through the Florida Panhandle.

As a result of the initial impact of Katrina in south Florida on Friday, freight and passenger service on CSXT's network is being restored incrementally as subdivisions are inspected and deemed safe for operations. Tri-Rail service is scheduled to resume Monday, Aug. 29.

All precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of our employees, customers, and the public with minimum delay to shipments as we continue to monitor the progress of the storm.

For more information, customers can call their local CSX representatives or the CSX Customer Service Center at 1-877-SHIP CSX (1-877-744-7279).