As dozens of trains carry potentially explosive crude oil through Wisconsin each week, an aging railroad bridge in downtown Milwaukee is drawing scrutiny.
A city engineer told aldermen Thursday that Canadian Pacific has decided there is no immediate need for repairs to the bridge. But the company has declined to provide a copy of the its safety report.
Anne Steinberg of the group Citizens Acting For Rail Safety questioned the legality of the railroad company reporting on itself.
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“It’s not right to let a private company inspect and regulate themselves,” she said. “The government has a responsibility to ensure public safety.”
Steinberg said she goes under the bridge four times a week and does not feel safe because she worries about an oil train accident.
One Milwaukee alderman has called for a change in federal laws to require a third party to evaluate railroad bridges.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story described Anne Steinberg as a member of the group 350.org. In her rail advocacy work is with the Milwaukee chapter of the group Citizens Acting for Rail Safety. It has been updated.
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