Brunswick's Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge

On October 2, 2019, a Norfolk Southern rail bridge collapsed into the Grand River in Brunswick, Missouri. The bridge, which crossed the river, washed out after a debris strike caused by heavy rain and flooding. The National Weather Service (NWS) Missouri Basin River forecast centre said that backwater from flood debris contributed to the collapse. The incident disrupted Norfolk Southern's freight train service between Moberly and Kansas City, leading to detours and delays for trains operating in the region.

The Norfolk Southern rail bridge collapsed into the Grand River in Brunswick, Missouri

On October 2, 2019, the Norfolk Southern rail bridge collapsed into the Grand River in Brunswick, Missouri. The bridge was destroyed due to debris and high flood waters that had been causing issues for days. The flood stage in Brunswick is 19 feet, but on October 1, the Grand River's water level rose to 25.35 feet.

Due to a logjam under the bridge, Norfolk Southern decided to cut the rails to control the collapse. There were no casualties, but the incident has disrupted railway services and impacted farming in the area. The bridge carried grain out of Chariton County, and with the bridge out of service, farmers will face challenges during harvest time.

Norfolk Southern suspended service between Moberly and Kansas City, Missouri, and detour routes are being explored. All trains operating to and from Kansas City will experience delays. The collapse and extreme flooding have made reconstruction challenging, and there is no timetable for when the bridge will be back in service.

The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I freight railroad, stretching over 35,000 kilometers across 22 states. The bridge failure highlights the impact of extreme weather events on critical infrastructure and the subsequent challenges in maintaining transportation networks and supporting local industries.

The cause of the collapse was debris and high flood waters

On October 2, 2019, a Norfolk Southern rail bridge collapsed into the Grand River in Brunswick, Missouri. The cause of the collapse was debris and high flood waters.

In the days leading up to the collapse, debris and high waters had been causing issues near the Grand River Bridge in Brunswick. The National Weather Service (NWS) had issued Flood Warnings along the Missouri River, and the water level in the Grand River had risen to 25.35 feet, close to reaching a moderate flood stage.

A logjam had formed under the bridge, causing a backwater from the debris that led to the collapse of the train tracks. Norfolk Southern made the decision to sever the rails to control the collapse, but it was too late. On the evening of October 2, the bridge washed out and dropped into the river.

The collapse of the Brunswick railroad bridge disrupted train services between Moberly and Kansas City, impacting farmers in the region during harvest time as the railroad was a vital transport route for grain out of Chariton County. Repairs were challenging due to ongoing flooding in the area, and there was uncertainty about when the bridge would resume operations.

This incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to extreme weather events and the importance of proactive measures to mitigate flood risks and ensure the safety and resilience of transportation networks.

Norfolk Southern decided to cut the rails to control the collapse

On October 2, 2019, a Norfolk Southern rail bridge collapsed into the Grand River in Brunswick, Missouri. The bridge collapse was caused by debris and high flood waters that had been affecting the Grand River Bridge in the preceding days.

Due to a logjam under the bridge, Norfolk Southern decided to cut the rails on the span before the washout to control the collapse. Earlier reports of a barge striking the bridge were later found to be false.

The decision to cut the rails was made to mitigate the impact of the collapse and prevent further damage. By severing the rails, Norfolk Southern could control the way in which the bridge collapsed, ensuring that it dropped into the river in a more controlled manner. This was likely done to protect the surrounding infrastructure and to minimize potential hazards to people in the area.

The collapse of the bridge disrupted train service between Moberly and Kansas City, Missouri. Norfolk Southern was forced to suspend service on this stretch and issue a service alert, notifying customers of delays. The company began working with interline partners to detour freight traffic over alternative gateways, but the detours took added time and resulted in longer delays for some shippers.

The impact of the bridge collapse extended beyond the immediate disruption to train service. The railroad was a vital link in the region's agricultural supply chain, particularly during harvest time. The Norfolk Southern line was used to transport grain out of Chariton County, and its interruption threatened to affect farmers in the region.

Train services between Moberly and Kansas City were suspended

On October 2, 2019, a Norfolk Southern rail bridge collapsed into the Grand River in Brunswick, Missouri. The bridge, located in Chariton County, was washed out by a logjam and debris from flooding in the river. The National Weather Service (NWS) had issued Flood Warnings for the area, and the river levels had risen to 25.35 feet, close to reaching a moderate flood stage.

As a result of the bridge collapse, Norfolk Southern issued a service alert, suspending train services between Moberly and Kansas City. The company stated that it was "working with our interline partners to detour freight traffic over alternative gateways." Customers with train services to and from Kansas City were warned to expect delays of 48 to 72 hours. The suspension of train services between Moberly and Kansas City impacted two of Norfolk Southern's main line corridors between the Midwest and Kansas City.

The bridge collapse and suspension of train services had potential consequences for farmers in the region. The railroad is typically used to transport grain out of Chariton County during harvest time. With the bridge out of service, farmers may have faced challenges in getting their produce to market. It was unclear when the bridge would be back in operation, as repairs were hampered by ongoing flooding in the area.

The Norfolk Southern rail line is a vital transportation link in Missouri, serving as a major transporter of industrial products, including chemicals, agriculture, and construction materials. The suspension of train services between Moberly and Kansas City highlighted the importance of this rail line for the region's economy and agriculture. Alternative routes were pursued, but delays were expected for all trains operating to and from Kansas City.

No injuries were reported

On October 2, 2019, a Norfolk Southern rail bridge collapsed into the Grand River in Brunswick, Missouri. The bridge, which crossed the river, was struck by debris caused by heavy rain and flooding.

Norfolk Southern decided to cut the rails on the span to control the collapse. The company suspended service between Moberly and Kansas City, and all trains operating to and from Kansas City experienced delays. The bridge collapse also impacted farming in the area, as the railroad was responsible for carrying grain out of Chariton County.

While the collapse caused significant disruption, no injuries were reported. Chariton County authorities acted quickly to set up barricades and keep boaters away from the area. Brunswick's marine access was closed for safety reasons, and Norfolk Southern crews worked with local officials to ensure the safety of the public.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Missouri Basin River Forecast Center had been monitoring the situation, as flood warnings were in place along the Missouri River. The river levels had risen to 25.35 feet, close to reaching a moderate flood stage. While the river dropped in the following 24 hours, it was expected to rise again over the weekend.

The bridge collapse and its aftermath highlight the potential dangers of flooding and the importance of swift emergency response. While no one was injured, the collapse disrupted transportation and local industries, underscoring the need for proactive safety measures and efficient incident management.

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