The city of Carthage, Missouri, is suing the Union Pacific Railroad for failing to keep up crossings and bridges in the city, including the fabled Whee Bridge along Route 66.
According to the Joplin Globe:
The suit, filed in federal court, cites 17 crossings, including the Oak Street bridge along Route 66. The city is asking the court to find Union Pacific responsible for maintenance and impose fines for its “failure and refusal” to repair the crossings.
The suit cites city ordinances that were adopted in the 1880s and 1890s, when the rails were built, that mandate the rail companies maintain the crossings at their own expense. The ordinances gave Union Pacific, then called Pacific Railway Company, the right of way to the property on which the rails were placed.
“Union Pacific is now contractually obligated to maintain and keep all crossings and bridges at the intersection of its track with the city’s streets and alleys,” the suit states. “Union Pacific also has a common law duty to maintain ‘whatever structures may be necessary to the convenience and safety’ of the crossings.”
Short told the newspaper the city has contacted the railroad about its responsibilities since at least 2006. In the interim, the city hasn’t done any upkeep on the bridges, and one bridge on Sycamore Street has closed because of deterioration.
Short said the city was prompted to file the federal suit because of a 2019 deadline to use a $175,000 state grant on the Oak Street Bridge, aka the Whee Bridge. The bridge also is known as Tickle Tummy Hill.
A few years ago, Roamin’ Rich Dinkela posted a video of what it feels like to drive over the bridge:
The “whee” or tickled tummies from motorists and their passengers occur because the bridge’s uncommonly steep apex. Locals and Route 66 advocates have been vocal about keeping the bridge’s unique character.
According to Bridgehunter.com, the span was built in circa 1920.
(Image of the Whee Bridge in Carthage, Missouri, courtesy of Rod Harsh)
If the locals are so ” vocal about keeping the bridge’s unique character”, then let them pay for its upkeep. Perhaps only in America would a railway company be responsible for maintaining a section of a town’s road system. If the bridge belongs to the Union Pacific Railroad, then I suggest the UPRR demolishes the bridge and replaces it with a level (grade) crossing. The line doesn’t look that used.
A contract is a contract. If the railroad signed an agreement to maintain the bridges, then they’re obligated to do so.