$570 Million Infrastructure Funding Targets Hazardous Train-Car Intersections: Saving Lives on the Tracks

Federal officials in the US are allocating millions of dollars to address dangerous intersections where trains and cars meet.

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The administration of Joe Biden has committed $570 million in infrastructure spending to replace, improve, or study grade crossings.

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The aim of these efforts is to reduce the approximately 2,000 train-vehicle collisions that occur each year, resulting in about 200 fatalities.

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With these initiatives, congestion at intersections, where trains block traffic, will also be alleviated.

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The plan of the Federal Railroad Administration is to allocate the funds to 34 projects, with a particular focus on addressing grave crossing blockage complaints in Texas.

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The administration of Joe Biden is distributing $570 million in grants across 32 states to help eliminate these crossings.

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Trains exceeding 2 miles in length can block crossings for hours, limiting access to certain areas and forcing pedestrians to navigate through trains at their own risk in some locations.

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Pete Buttigieg, US Transport Secretary, emphasized the negative impact of blocked crossings on daily life, such as delayed work commutes, hindered transportation of goods, and first responders being unable to reach emergencies promptly.

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