Rep. Jim Himes
Rep. Elizabeth Esty
The recent Metro-North rail-crossing disaster at Valhalla, N.Y., has spurred a House bill that aims to help states and communities make such crossings safer. Among the bill’s five cosponsors are Democratic Reps. Jim Himes and Elizabeth Esty of Connecticut’s 4th and 5th Congressional Districts, respectively.
“Accidents at highway-rail grade crossings, including the fatal accident in Valhalla that killed a Danbury resident, are unacceptable and completely avoidable,” Esty said. “Investing in rail-safety programs … will help prevent these tragedies in the future.”
“Last month’s fatal accident on Metro-North and other similar tragedies nationwide demonstrate the urgent need to improve safety at rail crossings in our communities,” Himes said. “This legislation provides concrete steps to raise public awareness and invest in the technology and infrastructure … necessary to keep our drivers and rail passengers safe.”
The bill provides resources to separate roadways from rail track; to increase public awareness of rail-crossing dangers; and to improve lights and signals at crossings.
The bill has been referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, of which Esty is a member.
Other sponsors include Reps. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y.; Julia Brownley, D-Calif.; and Bill Pascrell, D-N.J.
A similar bill was sponsored in the Senate by Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.