City Officials Respond to Bridge Fears — But What’s Really Next for East 28th Street?

By Erik Jones, Lorain Daily

A Video That Sparked Concern

A rusted, dripping bridge in Lorain is at the center of growing public concern.

In early 2024, local resident Phillip L. Kimbro recorded a video of the East 28th Street railroad bridge showing heavy corrosion, water leaks, and peeling concrete. The video quickly spread on social media, prompting one simple but serious question:

Is the bridge safe?

The footage caused fear and anger across Lorain, with many residents saying they’re worried the structure could collapse or injure someone. “It just doesn’t look safe,” some commenters wrote. The bridge crosses a busy roadway, raising concern not just for drivers but for pedestrians and nearby homes.

Who Owns the Bridge?

While the bridge runs through the City of Lorain, the city doesn’t own it. The bridge belongs to CSX, a national railroad company. That’s where things get complicated.

Because CSX owns the bridge, they’re the ones responsible for its inspections and maintenance—not the city. That means city leaders can’t just step in and repair it, even if they want to.

Still, people want to know: If the city sees the problem, why haven’t they done more?

What City Leaders Say

Mayor Jack Bradley and Lorain’s Safety-Service Director have both responded publicly.

They say they’ve been in contact with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and CSX about the bridge. Mayor Bradley also confirmed that, while the bridge looks bad, it still meets ODOT’s minimum safety standards.

That hasn’t been enough to ease concerns.

Many residents say the bridge looks unsafe, and that’s what matters to them. Some are asking whether more can be done to push CSX into action—or whether public safety is being overlooked.

What the Feds Say

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) got involved after the viral video spread. They reviewed the footage and determined that there is no immediate safety hazard.

CSX said the bridge passed an inspection as recently as November 2024, and the company found no reason to shut it down or repair it right away.

Still, the FRA made one thing clear: Bridge maintenance is the responsibility of the railroad company, not the federal government or local city.

So, while the bridge may be “safe” in technical terms, many people in Lorain are not convinced that’s enough.

A Matter of Trust

One of the biggest issues isn’t just the bridge—it’s the lack of trust between the public and those in charge.

Many Lorain residents say they’ve seen too many problems go unaddressed for too long. They don’t want to wait until something bad happens before action is taken. Even if engineers say the bridge is structurally sound, the visible damage is hard to ignore.

“You wouldn’t let your kids walk under that,” one resident said.

The real issue might be the difference between what’s legally acceptable and what looks or feels safe. And in this case, people are leaning toward what they can see with their own eyes.

What’s Next for the Bridge?

According to city officials, another inspection is scheduled for later this year. CSX has not yet announced if they will make any repairs or updates to the structure.

The city says it will continue to press CSX for more accountability and stay in touch with ODOT about the matter. But again, they don’t control what happens to the bridge directly.

For now, all the public can do is watch and wait—and hope that CSX takes concerns seriously.

Can the Public Push for Change?

While the city can’t legally force CSX to fix the bridge, public pressure works.

The attention this story received—from local media coverage to community voices on social media—has already brought the issue to light. And now that officials, state agencies, and the FRA are aware, more eyes are on the situation.

It’s possible that with enough concern from the public, CSX could decide to improve or reinforce the bridge, even if it isn’t legally required.

This kind of public involvement matters. When people speak up, it sends a message: We’re paying attention.

Final Thoughts

The East 28th Street bridge is more than just steel and concrete. It’s a symbol of how people feel about safety, trust, and being heard.

City officials say the bridge is within safety standards. CSX says it passed inspection. But residents are still uneasy, and for good reason. What looks “safe enough” on paper might not feel safe when you’re walking or driving under it.

Another inspection is on the way. Until then, the people of Lorain will keep asking the same question:

Is it safe enough? Or will it take a tragedy to make things change?