Marshall Inspects Crumbling Amtrak Bridge In Woodside

Dominick Totino

Borough President Helen Marshall said last week that an Amtrak bridge over the busy intersection of Northern Boulevard and Broadway in Woodside is deteriorating, with chunks of concrete falling off and posing a danger to pedestrians and motorists.

"This is a very dangerous situation," Marshall said as she pointed out that the intersecting streets are two of the borough's most used roadways.

Marshall said she had informed Amtrak of the situation and implored the agency to make repairs to the bridge before a tragedy occurs.

"The potential for a catastrophic accident caused either directly or indirectly by falling chunks of concrete is very real and, at this point, very preventable," she stated in her letter to Amtrak.

The overpass carries trains between Pennsylvania Station and points northeast of Queens.

There were several huge gaping holes on the sides of the bridge, as well as exposed sections of steel. In at least two spots, Marshall said, entire concrete sections were missing from braces that are part of the framework.

An Amtrak official said a group of engineers had inspected the damaged areas in response to Marshall's letter. The official said the damaged areas would be shored up.

- John Toscano