Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Norfolk Southern’s rail gang – consisting of at least 20 specialized vehicles and 50 workers – descended into Warsaw Tuesday as it continues to replace all of the rail along the north-south tracks.
Installation of new rail started in Claypool and reached Warsaw Monday, but on Tuesday numerous crews with many tasks focused on at least seven crossings in Warsaw with an eagerness to open at least one east-west traffic route as soon as possible.
The work paid off as Winona Avenue was open to traffic this morning and other crossings to the north were on schedule to re-open later in the day.
While today was expected to be another difficult day for motorists, city officials believe conditions will improve by Thursday when more crossings are opened.
The need to cut off multiple crossings at the same time was necessary as workers replaced 40-year-old rail with new 1,400-foot strips.
The project caused a menace Tuesday for motorists trying to cross through the city. The anticipated traffic troubles were big enough that Norfolk Southern urged drivers to use U.S. 30.
The buzz of activity – from Pope Street to Fort Wayne Street – attracted numerous onlookers who marveled at the work.
Large slabs of asphalt pulled from alongside the tracks and piled nearby and made for a temporary seat as Rudy Tupis and Ocean Snell watched the work. The live in nearby Little Crow Lofts.
“It’s really amazing,” Tupis said. “Very unique thing to see.”
Another Little Crow resident, Catrina Fields, was able to traverse the tracks for a quick trip to the nearby Dollar General.
“It’s definitely interesting to watch,” Fields said.
What they witnessed appeared to be a well-engineered effort with a emphasis on speed and efficiency, using both machine and muscle.
A handful of small vehicles moved slowly up the tracks removing spikes that held down the old rails. Other machines cut up the rail into manageable sections while still other machines lifted the metal off the ground.
Another crew followed, using long bars to pry other parts of the rail loose from its foundation and push it to the side.
Old rail was then removed while other crews worked to prep the tracks for new rail that had been moved into the middle of the tracks beforehand.
South of Warsaw, other crews added more asphalt around the new tracks that had been installed Monday. Another machine nearby used a huge magnet to pick up debris from the work.
Mayor Joe Thallemer checked the progress at different crossings yesterday several times, including a visit a 10:30 p.m. Tuesday when crews were still working
He said he’s pleased with the progress.
“Obviously, yesterday was probably the worst – hopefully – but it’s a huge project,” Thallemer said.
“By and large, it’s going as good as I could expect it to go,” he said.
Norfolk Southern was opening crossing with a preliminary addition of asphalt, but was returning later with additional paving on those crossing
The Norfolk Southern line extends from Goshen to Marion. The 23-mile project in Kosciusko County is regarded as the biggest of the year for the railroad company.
The project is moving faster than expected. Orignally, installation of the new rail was not expected to begin until early July.
