Neighbors question safety of bridge, roadway after accident

Following Monday morning's bus accident, there have been a lot of questions about the road and railroad bridge above where it happened.

Driving up on the railroad bridge on Emerson Avenue, it looks pretty standard. It's two lanes. It's probably tight for two cars, but shouldn't be an issue for just one.

Angela Lay lives in the neighborhood.

"I've lived here my whole life and I've never really seen any bad accidents. Some fender benders but that's all."

But other neighbors tell us there is a problem.

"It's heck. You've got people all the time trying to race you," said Karen Delk.

Rick Carter said the problem is people "trying to pass."

Lays said while it's two lanes, two cars are a close fit.

"The only time I ever see a tight squeeze is if someone is trying to get through the bridge before a semi and they cut 'em off."

The issue: on one side of the bridge it's two lanes. On the other side it moves to one lane as you come out from under the series of railroad bridges.

Carter said he doesn't know what cause Monday's accident, but the stretch of road beneath the bridge has been a problem.

"There've been several accidents down here."

Delk said no matter what caused the accident, people need to be more careful driving under the railroad bridges on Emerson.

"People just need to slow down and watch and be courteous."

Fox59 has requested the accident numbers on this stretch of road. We also contacted CSX Railroad about the bridge. It was built in 1917. It is inspected every year. Its last inspection was just last month.