Biden's budget calls for more rail-safety funding; US mayors endorse Railway Safety Act

President Joe Biden's proposed fiscal-year 2024 budget released last week calls for over $1 billion in rail safety improvements, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The investments are being recommended in the aftermath of the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern Railway train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, USDOT officials said in a press release.

The proposed $1 billion would expand the Federal Railroad Administration's core safety efforts and improve critical rail infrastructure, including:

• $760 million for both the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) and Railroad Crossing Elimination programs to provide additional dedicated grant funding to improve nearly all facets of railroad safety, such as upgrading track, rolling stock and signal systems; supporting railroad employee safety training programs; and preventing railroad trespassing and highway-rail grade crossing collisions;

• $273.5 million to support the agency’s railroad safety personnel, expand critical inspection and audit capabilities, enhance data analysis to better identify the root causes of railroad safety incidents, and increase stakeholder outreach and partnerships to address and eliminate threats to public safety; and

• $59 million for a cross-cutting research and development program to advance new technologies and practices to improve railroad safety.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) has endorsed the proposed Railway Safety Act of 2023 introduced by U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and JD Vance (R-Ohio).

"Rail transport remains a critical part of our infrastructure and economy, but no family should have to worry about the safety of hazardous chemicals being transported through their city," said USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran in a press release.

"This bill will enact key reforms USCM has long advocated for, help keep Americans safe and hold railroads accountable," Cochran said. "We thank the bipartisan sponsors of the bill, and America’s mayors call on Congress to pass this legislation swiftly before another city confronts a similar crisis."