WHEREAS, On January 20, 2014, a train derailment occurred on the Schuylkill Arsenal Railroad Bridge on a CSX Transportation (CSX) rail over the Schuylkill Expressway and Schuylkill River between South and 34th Streets; and
WHEREAS, Seven of the cars on the 101-car freight train derailed, leaving two cars, one containing sand and the other oil, tipping over the edge of the bridge, causing traffic disruption on the Schuylkill Expressway, and requiring a cleanup effort lasting days; and
WHEREAS, The derailment could have caused train cars carrying oil to fall into the Schuylkill River, presenting a serious environmental emergency; and
WHEREAS, Residents of South Philadelphia have for years expressed concern regarding the conditions of railways and bridges in the area, including railways and bridges owned operated, or maintained by CSX; and
WHEREAS, The condition of the CSX railway stretching above 25th Street in South Philadelphia has been a major concern to residents and business owners in the area who have reported large pieces of concrete falling from the façade of the bridge onto the street; and
WHEREAS, CSX is aware of residents' concerns regarding the 25th Street railway and has been for several years; and
WHEREAS, CSX has failed to commit to any major effort to address these concerns, claiming that the bridge is structurally sound and that the complaints implicate merely aesthetic issues; and
WHEREAS, Falling pieces of concrete are a legitimate public safety concern that CSX needs to address before someone is seriously injured; and
WHEREAS, CSX must appear before City Council to inform the City of Philadelphia what caused the January 20, 2014 train derailment and what steps the company is taking to prevent future derailments; and
WHEREAS, CSX must report on the condition of its infrastructure, including the 25th Street railway, and explain how it is adequately maintaining its assets in the City of Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Joint Committees on Transportation and Public Utilities and Public Safety are hereby authorized to hold hearings to investigate the conditions of railways, bridges and other surface transportation infrastructure owned, operated or maintained by CSX Transportation in the City of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That in furtherance of such an investigation, this Council is hereby authorized to issue subpoenas as may be necessary or appropriate to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents to the full extent authorized under Section 2-401 of The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter.
End