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Federal Money Available For Rail Safety...Just Not Much Of It

Illinois Railroad Association

Last year, 269 people were killed in the US at rail crossings. 40% of those happened in just five states…and Illinois is one of them.

The rail safety group Operation Lifesaver compares the force of a 30 car freight train hitting a car to a car crushing a soda can. And if that soda can or those freight cars are filled with flammable fuel, it’s even more disastrous. The Federal Railroad Administration says the number of shipments of crude oil, ethanol, and natural gas is up 4000% over the past seven years. That’s why the agency is offeringgrants for projects that make railroad crossings safer along flammable fuel routes.

Improvements could include better signs, elimination of a crossing, improved visibility…but the administration encourages bolder, innovative proposals. They should, however, be cost-efficient.

States have until November 4th to get their proposals in. The money won’t go very far, though. It’s ten million dollars…and there are more than 200-thousand railroad crossings in the US.

Susan is an award-winning reporter/writer at her favorite radio station. She's also WNIJ's Perspectives editor, Under Rocks contributor, and local host of All Things Considered.
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