$570 million in grants will be used to eliminate numerous hazardous rail crossings
The Biden administration is granting $570 million to address the issue of railroad crossings in 32 states, where longer trains have been causing traffic delays and hindering emergency response. Over three dozen crossings will be targeted, with the funds being used to construct bridges or underpasses. These measures aim to alleviate the disruption caused by trains blocking crossings for extended periods, ensuring access to critical areas, and avoiding risky situations like individuals climbing through stationary trains. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted instances where delays caused by trains resulted in tragic consequences.
In addition to traffic problems, collisions at railroad crossings are a significant concern, with thousands of incidents and hundreds of deaths recorded each year. The grants form part of a $3 billion funding allocation over the next five years, as part of the infrastructure law, to address rail crossing issues. While some projects focus on planning and design, most of the funding will be directed towards physical improvements and resolving long-standing problems. State and city governments, often with assistance from railroads, are required to contribute at least 20% of the project cost for each grant.
The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) has issued a 72-hour strike notice to Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), planning to strike on August 22 if no labor agreement is reached.