ALBANY, N.Y. (AP & WXXI News) - Rail inspectors report checking another 251 miles of track and 91 switches in the ongoing effort to reduce the danger from crude oil shipments across the state.
Inspectors say they found three critical defects, requiring immediate repairs, including an improperly placed fastener on the CSX mainline track between Catskill and Kingston. The report finding 24 non-critical defects.
One of the critical defects in the Western NY/Finger Lakes region included a repair needed for a switch transition device in the Chili to Macedon section of track, which required a temporary speed reduction. There were also several non-critical defects listed throughout the region.
State officials say tanker traffic is significantly lower than the peaks of 2014, but Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration teams are continuing to check tracks, facilities and oil trains.
They report having inspected more than 11,003 crude oil tank cars and nearly 5,000 miles of track since early 2014, uncovering 1,695 defects and finding 20 hazardous materials violations.
The program began after several severe accidents across the U.S. and Canada.
