Construction will soon begin on a replacement rail bridge following last year's train derailment and chemical spill in Gloucester County.
The current swivel-style rail bridge was damaged when a 68-car freight train derailed on Nov. 30, 2012. Several cars carrying the chemical Vinyl Chloride were sent plunging into the creek and ruptured.
Mixing with the water, the Vinyl Chloride vaporized and a chemical cloud enveloped the small South Jersey town. Parts of the town were evacuated because of the accident.
Several lawsuits have been brought forth against the company over the derailment and the subsequent chemical leak.
Conrail, who owns and operates the bridge, says it will begin work to replace the current bridge this month. The company expects to install new driving piles in February 2014 and to finish work on the new movable bridge over the summer of 2014.
Officials said they chose to build a new bridge, rather than repair the current one, after conducting a study of the site.
The company expects to open the new bridge in September 2014.
