[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 201 (Friday, December 23, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF BLOCKED RAIL CROSSINGS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2022

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                           HON. ANDRE CARSON-

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 23, 2022

  Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the Blocked Rail 
Crossings Safety Improvement Act of 2022. This language reflects 
policies developed in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, 
where I am proud to serve.
  There is a serious and dangerous problem of blocked railroad 
crossings across the country, with freight trains blocking at-grade 
crossings in urban and suburban communities across the country. In my 
district, Indianapolis is experiencing an increasing frequency of 
blocked railroad crossings by freight trains. Trains are growing longer 
and longer. Downtown rail crossings have been blocked for unacceptably 
long periods, including one incident that lasted over 3 hours. This not 
only interrupts business operations and normal traffic, but it 
threatens public safety--especially when emergency vehicles must be re-
routed.
  This is why we must pass legislation to address this problem. The 
Blocked Rail Crossings Safety Improvement Act will help fix this 
problem. The language is based on provisions passed by the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and passed by the House in 
the INVEST Act. These provisions, which I recommended, place limits on 
how long crossings can be blocked, and impose penalties for blocking 
crossings. While I appreciated and supported the limited provisions 
included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I don't believe they 
went far enough. More must be done.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the 
Blocked Rail Crossings Safety Improvement Act.

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