First, Metro Council asked CSX to paint the worn and rusted railroad bridge over the Cumberland River north of James Robertson Parkway.

Now, Council is preparing to consider a bill that requires owners to keep their bridges painted and rust free. The bill, which will be on first reading at next Tuesday’s Council meeting, has been proposed by Councilman Jim Gotto. It was Gotto’s memorializing resolution that first asked CSX to paint the bridge.

The company responded with a letter stating that ensuring its bridges were structurally sound was its top priority and there were little funds for paint jobs.

Gotto’s new bill would provide “maintenance standards” for bridges owned or maintained by railroad companies and those standards include painting to prevent rust or corrosion.