“This bridge was in a severe state of disrepair posing serious dangers people traveling through Brocton,” said Congressman Higgins. “I applaud Mayor Abram’s leadership on this issue and I am pleased to work jointly with him to see this important safety and transportation matter reach a successful outcome.”
“Route 380 (Lake Ave) in Brocton is a heavily traveled corridor and the Norfolk-Southern Railroad overpass had many serious hazards for several years,” said Mayor Abram. “Numerous attempts to get the necessary repairs were unsuccessful. When Congressman Higgins was contacted he immediately contacted Norfolk-Southern Railroad and the project was completed September 10, 2009.
The Brocton Bridge, stretching over Lake Avenue (Route 380), serves as an overpass facilitating tracks owned by Norfolk-Southern and CSX Railroads. In May 2008 Mayor Abram reached out to Congressman Higgins office to express his concerns about the crumbling concrete on the structure and the hazards it posed to passing automobiles.
Congressman Higgins sent a letter to Norfolk-Southern requesting repairs to the bridge. Norfolk-Southern sent inspectors to the Village and in June of 2008 made some improvements to the structure. Mayor Abram and Congressman Higgins were not satisfied with the initial improvements and again pressed Norfolk-Southern for additional repairs to the bridge. At the lawmakers’ request, this summer Norfolk-Southern spent several months making substantial improvements to the bridge.
Mayor Abram added, “I know that I speak for the entire Brocton-Portland community with a sincere thank you to Congressman Higgins for restoring the Norfolk-Southern Railroad overpass. I would also like to extend a special thank you to the Brocton electric line staff, Brocton village crews, Chautauqua County bridge and highway employees and Norfolk-Southern Railroad.”
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