5/27/14: Metro North gets water’s-edge look at Hudson Line

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Riverkeeper Patrol hosted three senior staff of Metro North Railroad on May 27th to get a unique look at the company’s commuter rail infrastructure along the Hudson.

As the east shore’s biggest property owner, the railroad’s efforts to keep the shoreline clean and maintain its infrastructure and equipment benefit both people and the environment.

Director of Environmental Compliance and Services Karen Timko, Anamaria Bonilla, Assistant Chief Engineer, Track and Structures and Douglas Schroeder, Senior Hydrology Engineer, Track and Structures, joined the R. Ian Fletcher on its patrol from Ossining to Newtown Creek to view the tracks from the River’s point of view.

Alongside Riverkeeper’s Hudson River Attorney Phillip Musegaas, Timko remarked about Metro North’s past initiatives and upcoming plans for various sites. Along the way, they also pointed out a couple of issues that may require attention.

Musegaas looks on as Timko, Schroeder and Bonilla (front to back) view sites where development is affecting the bank above the rail line along the east shore in Westchester County.

This hillside erosion is located in Dobbs Ferry, and it appears that water running off the hill is eroding or depositing sediment near the tracks.

Further south, in Yonkers, workers could be seen at the site of a retaining wall collapse that occurred in May.

Metro-North is in contact with the property owners at both sites. Seeing the locations from the river provided a valuable perspective.