WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National League of Cities (NLC) continues to support action by Congress and the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve rail safety in the U.S.
In a letter to Congress, more than 400 mayors, city council members and other local leaders provided recommendations for improved rail safety in America’s cities, towns and villages:
“The unfortunate derailment and environmental contamination in East Palestine, Ohio is not unprecedented. There are more than 1,000 trains derailing each year in multiple states. With 140,000 miles of track in the U.S. crossing directly through thousands of cities, towns and villages, the severity of this derailment requires proactive reflection on rail safety actions that Congress can take now. Here are NLC’s detailed rail safety recommendations to Congress.
We are encouraged by the introduction of the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023 in the Senate which would improve rail safety, and House members have provided additional proposals to expand the list of chemicals reported so that when – not if – a derailment happens first responders know what they are dealing with.
We ask for Congress to act now on rail safety on behalf of thousands of cities, towns and villages who want to see rail safely moving through their communities.”
If you have any questions or want to speak to an NLC expert, please email media@nlc.org.
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The National League of Cities (NLC) the voice of America’s cities, towns and villages, representing more than 200 million people. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy and drive innovative solutions. Stay connected with NLC on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.