NJ bridge had signal problems before derailment

PAULSBORO, N.J. (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board says the New Jersey bridge where a train derailed last week had several recent signal and alignment problems.

NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman says inspectors checked out the Paulsboro bridge on Thursday after signal problems were reported.

After that, several trains crossed without problems.

But after the last one that night cleared the bridge, its crew got a radio message that the bridge failed to operate.

Hersman says that may have been an indication that the bridge did not properly swing open to traffic on Mantua Creek below.

She says when the train that derailed pulled up just before 7 a.m. Friday, the bridge signal light was red. That could be an indication that it was not locked into place.