RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. — July, normally thought of as a great month of summer, has been unkind to the New York, Susquehanna & Western, which serves New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. After one of their bridges partially collapsed in Syracuse, N.Y., on July 5, another Susquehanna bridge also partially collapsed near New York City; this one spanned Overpeck Creek in suburban Bergen County, N.J. The collapse occurred under the weight of a passing freight train at 8:20 a.m. on July 28, with a small part of the 405-foot span falling towards the water. The last car on the train, a sugar-filled hopper, fell in, and was later retrieved. This link carries 25,000 carloads a year to and from facilities near Secaucus, N.J.

The former New York Central West Shore bridge, immediately adjacent to the Susquehanna’s, was not touched by the accident, and remained in full service for CSX Transportation.

An inspector checked out the bridge on June 27 in preparation for the rehabilitation of the 100-year-old span. It was last rehabilitated in 1985. The State of New Jersey is expected to pay $4.3 million for the work, with the Susquehanna providing an additional $1.8 million. A bridge construction crew was slated to start on July 30, but has been held up for piling inspection by third-party contracted divers, a railroad representative tells Trains News Wire. This inspection work should be completed within a few days.