Commercial truck damages decades-old landmark
SALUDA—A historic railroad signal light in Saluda was hit and severely damaged last week.
According to Saluda police, a Swift Transportation truck hit the light at 8:06 p.m. on the night of Wednesday, January 17, snapping it at the base and ripping it clear of its foundation. Saluda police reported that they were not contacted about the light, which is located at the intersection of Greenville St. and Main St., on the side facing downtown Saluda, until 9:45 p.m. that night.
“It didn’t just bend it over or anything, it broke it at the base,” said Saluda Councilman Paul Marion. “It’s not in the way of traffic or anything like that. It’s just laid across the railroad.”
The railroad signal lights have been at the site for at least over 20 years, and are a staple of downtown Saluda. Whether or not the light will be replaced is yet to be determined.
Saluda Police Chief Clay Price said that Swift is filing a claim for Norfolk Southern regarding the possibility of the light’s replacement.