BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Murray Street in Binghamton has reopened to traffic following the completion of a major project to rehabilitate the railroad bridges between Clinton Street and Gerard Avenue.
The work is the latest bridge-improvement project completed by Norfolk Southern since the City of Binghamton released a report in 2023 documenting the poor condition of local railroad bridges, per an announcement on the city’s website.
Norfolk Southern has now rehabilitated or replaced seven of the worst railroad bridges in Binghamton in the last two years.
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“When I took office, Binghamton’s railroad bridges were in disastrous shape — crumbling concrete, exposed rebar and a source of widespread frustration for residents,” Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham said. “As Mayor, I’ve held the railroads accountable for the condition of their bridges, prompting major improvements after decades of neglect. There’s still work left to do, with other bridges that remain in need of upgrades. I will continue to work with Norfolk Southern as they plan additional improvements and won’t stop until residents get the results they deserve.”
About the project
A portion of Murray Street between Clinton Street and Gerard Avenue, had been closed during construction, which began in mid-July.
The work on Murray Street included replacement of the bridges’ parapet walls, repairs to the concrete columns — including work to fix exposed rebar — new handrails, and fresh paint, the city said.
Vector Construction was hired by Norfolk Southern to complete the work at no cost to City of Binghamton taxpayers.
The improvements come after Kraham called on the railroad company to begin repairs following the release of a 2023 city report on bridge conditions, per his office.
Earlier that year, Mayor Kraham announced that Binghamton would hire an engineering firm to conduct visual inspections of the railroad bridges and document their findings. The firm, Binghamton-based HUNT-EAS, completed a 900-page report that found a majority of the bridges to be in poor or severe condition. Nearly half the bridges were found to have at least one “significant structural and/or safety concern that should be investigated and addressed by the Railroad,” according to the report.
Shortly after, Norfolk Southern provided the city with a detailed plan to repair some of the bridges found to be in the worst condition.
