Nineteen states plus the District of Columbia are supporting Ohio’s request for the Supreme Court to take up the issue of whether states have the regulatory authority to regulate railroad traffic, particularly when it comes to blocked crossings.
Union Pacific is constructing a grain transload facility at its intermodal terminal near Chicago, while two U.S. senators introduce bipartisan legislation to form a grant program that aims to reduce highway-rail grade crossings.
All 50 states plus the District of Columbia must now develop and implement safety measures for high-risk highway-rail grade crossings.
The bills call actions such as setting federal penalties for blocked crossings and allowing funding for the construction of more rail-grade crossings.
To reduce or eliminate blocked highway-rail grade crossings, the federal government needs to define the roles of stakeholders and technology, hearing witnesses said.
The Federal Railroad Administration is proposing all states address highway-rail grade crossing safety.
