Tarentum Council demands pothole fix from Norfolk Southern

Anyone who drives over the Norfolk Southern train tracks — and the adjacent potholes — in Tarentum knows it’s a bumpy ride.

It might be smoothed out after council voted to press the rail lines and state officials for attention to the growing craters.

Specifically, council urged repairs for the crossing at Corbet Street, where deep potholes are multiplying.

“It’s terrible,” borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said. “It is urgent that something be done.”

Council signed off on a resolution that asks Norfolk Southern to address the street repairs. They want the Lock Street intersection to be looked at as well.

“We understand that people are frustrated with the situation, but we can’t go up there and fix it because it is the railroad’s jurisdiction,” Boddorf said.

“If we would fix it inappropriately and a train would derail, there would be big problems.”

Connor Spielmaker, senior communications manager for the rail lines, said Norfolk Southern was not aware of a concern at the crossing.

“We will have it looked at in the coming days to identify any necessary repairs,” he said.

To be sure repairs are forthcoming, council members are lobbying local legislators to press for urgency.

“It’s deteriorating significantly,” Boddorf said. “It poses a safety hazard to vehicles and pedestrians, and it is (Norfolk Southern’s) responsibility.”