TEST COLUMN PUBLISHED 7-14-09
What a shame, on a number of fronts, that "Ben's Bridge" over the CSX rail yards in Selkirk has been closed to traffic. The very real health and safety concerns imposed by the bridge's closure in 1986 have all of a sudden resurfaced.
With the well-being of hundreds of residents once again in jeopardy, once again it's all about the money.
The residents of the South Albany Road neighborhood and surrounding areas (on the "other side of the tracks") have to again change their way of life, for who knows how long.
Albany County and Conrail (now CSX) knew this day was coming 20 years ago, and it's not sounding like they used that time to come up with a solution that would benefit everyone concerned.
The 1990-91 bridge repairs were driven by a tireless, five-year, David vs. Goliath-type battle, waged by the hundreds of affected residents. As a former resident of the area who was involved in that battle, I can certainly empathize and sympathize with all those families who now find themselves back at square one.
It took Albany County and Conrail five years to listen to reason, get on the same page and then finally do what was right for the South Albany Road area residents. For the sake of those residents, let's hope that the county and CSX have learned from history.
Michael P. Fahey
Clifton Park