RFP Staff
♦ Over the weekend the Rowan Free Press received calls and emails concerning the future of the current Shober Bridge on Ellis Street in Salisbury, N.C. and what the new bridge might appear like. The coming bridge will be constructed according to Norfolk Southern specifics and will no doubt be a typical modern steel and concrete bridge built at a higher elevation than the present bridge to accommodate the requirements of tall container cars. Likely inclined grades will be created along both Ellis Street approaches to the new Shober to artificially raise the bridge’s elevation. (The Norfolk Southern bridge pictured above is typical of modern railroad spans and not necessarily the final design to link North and South Ellis)
The new Shober will safely support far heavier trucks and higher-speed two lane traffic. The bridge will have a pedestrian walkway so persons may pass from North Ellis Street to South Ellis. With steel and concrete the new bridge will certainly be much safer than its predecessor and more pleasing to the eye. And more importantly, it will require far less upkeep than a decaying wooden one whose darkened underpinnings showed splintering and rot.
What will happen to those dwelling in close proximity to the current bridge? That will be decided between the Norfolk Southern Railroad and the home owners. Here is a generally how the Norfolk Southern handles such matters:
Relocation Assistance Brochure: http://www.ncdot.gov/download/construction/roadbuilt/RelocationBooklet_07.pdf
Right-of-Way Acquisition FAQs: http://www.ncdot.gov/download/construction/roadbuilt/RightofWay_Acquisition_brochure.pdf
A Previous article on the Shober Bridge:
