The train trestle over Aldridge Creek collapsed Tuesday morning, forcing the closure of the Aldridge Creek Greenway as an investigation and cleanup are underway.
The trestle spans the creek and greenway less than a mile from Ditto Landing. As of midday Tuesday, a white tilted train boxcar on the tracks was hanging over Aldridge Creek, still on an upright trestle support. The bridge’s middle portion was collapsed with at least two boxcars in the creek. At least one other boxcar, upright, was visible on the tracks on the south side of the creek.
The closure was announced by the City of Huntsville about noon Tuesday. No injuries were reported. The collapse happened sometime between about 10 a.m. and noon. No timeline was given for the greenway to reopen.
Barriers have been put up on the greenway at Ditto Landing and Green Cove Road. The city did not specify a reason for the closure in its announcement or offer any other details.
About the Bridge
The Huntsville & Madison County Railroad Authority manages the 13-mile rail line. After Norfolk Southern and CSX ended service years ago, a coalition of local businesses along with city and county officials created the HMCRA. Its website says HMCRA provides “Supply Chain Management solutions with rail freight service, storage solutions, and trans-load operations in Southern Madison County and connecting with Norfolk Southern Railway in downtown Huntsville.”
A year ago the authority received a $1 million grant to replace the Aldridge Creek bridge. The news release about the grant said a concrete bridge would replace the existing wood-and-steel bridge, providing more safety and the ability to transport more tonnage.
The 5.49-mile greenway and Ditto Landing are popular with walkers, bikers and runners, and home to several local running events. The Greenway Grand Prix 10K hosted by Running Lane Events is Aug. 1 out of Ditto Landing, with runners going along the greenway to the Hobbs Road turnaround and back to the landing. Running Lane also has the Boston or Bust marathon, half-marathon and 10K slated for Sept. 7 out of Ditto, also on the greenway.
