WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) on Thursday introduced The Rail Bridge Safety and Transparency Act, aimed at enhancing the safety of rail bridges across the nation. The bill addresses the limited oversight from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), which leaves the safety of many rail bridges uncertain. This legislation seeks to establish standards for DOT rail bridge oversight and empower local communities to report unsafe conditions. U.S. Representative Summer Lee (D-PA-12) plans to introduce a companion bill in the House in the coming weeks.
“The Commonwealth knows all too well how loose safety standards can cause train derailments and threaten communities. This bill is another step to raise safety standards, hold big rail companies accountable, and protect communities from preventable tragedies,” said Senator Casey. “I will keep fighting for rail safety and will push for the Railway Safety Act for as long as it takes.”
Need for Enhanced Oversight
The legislation comes in response to multiple safety concerns raised by Pennsylvania mayors, union workers, and community members regarding deteriorating rail bridges. Currently, the inspection and monitoring of over 100,000 railroad bridges nationwide are primarily conducted by the rail companies that own them, based on their guidelines. The results of these inspections are rarely accessible to local officials and residents, leaving communities in the dark about the safety of these structures.
Representative Summer Lee emphasized the urgency of the issue, saying, “Too many times, we’ve seen the disastrous consequences of railroad companies shirking their duty to maintain structurally sound bridges. No longer should we allow communities riddled with these deteriorating, privately owned structures to be kept in the dark, waiting for a catastrophe to unfold.”
Provisions of the Act
The Rail Bridge Safety and Transparency Act proposes several key measures:
- DOT Oversight and Standards: The bill directs DOT to create standards for rail bridge inspections and establish a rating system for these structures. Railroads would be required to inspect their bridges in accordance with these standards, and DOT would conduct independent inspections to ensure compliance.
- Fines for Non-Compliance: The legislation empowers the DOT Secretary to fine railroads for dangerous lapses in safety, especially if discrepancies are found between railroad reports and DOT findings.
- Increased Transparency: The act removes red tape, making it easier for local officials and residents to access rail bridge inspection reports. It also establishes a protocol for community leaders to report on safety issues.
Recent Incidents Highlighting Need
The lack of strict oversight has led to catastrophic consequences. In May 2023, a Montana Rail Link-owned bridge collapsed, causing a train derailment that released hazardous chemicals into a river. Later that year, a broken rail on a BNSF-owned bridge caused another derailment and bridge collapse, resulting in the death of a truck driver below.
Salvatore J. Panto Jr., Mayor of Easton, PA, highlighted the local impact, stating, “Making sure that the railroad’s elevated bridges in the City are held to uniform safety standards similar to our elevated highways and roads would protect vulnerable road users who rely on the railroad’s underpass for travel.”
Enhancing Rail Safety
The Rail Bridge Safety and Transparency Act represents a significant step towards ensuring the safety of vital infrastructure. By holding rail companies accountable and increasing transparency, the bill aims to prevent future accidents and protect communities from unnecessary risks.
Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, praised the bill, saying, “We applaud Senator Casey for introducing this bill to make rail bridges safer and preserve rail jobs.”
If passed, this legislation could lead to a safer and more reliable rail network, ultimately benefiting the thousands of communities that depend on these bridges for transportation and commerce.
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