The U.S. Senate yesterday passed a short-term surface transportation funding extension that includes a long-term extension of the positive train control (PTC) implementation deadline. The Senate’s action followed the House’s approval of the bill on Tuesday, and President Obama is expected to sign it.
The legislation reauthorizes funding of transportation programs through Nov. 20, and pushes back the Dec. 31 deadline for railroads to install PTC safety technology to Dec. 31, 2018, and as late as 2020 under certain circumstances.
The deadline extension will ward off a nationwide shutdown of railroad services, which industry leaders said would occur after Jan. 1, 2016, if the deadline wasn’t postponed. Most railroads would have missed the Dec. 31 deadline, and many indicated they wouldn’t operate in violation of federal law.
Read more from Progressive Railroading about PTC extension and Sarah Feinberg’s confirmation as administrator to the FRA.
Related News
- Ground broken on Brightline West — new rail jobs incoming!
- After FRA rule, Jared Cassity explains why we still need the Rail Safety Act
- FTA action on bus, transit safety plans praised by SMART-TD
- FRA crew-size rule came from our collective power
- SMART-TD, FRA announce federal regulation requiring two-person freight crews
- We say: ‘No crew, no engine, NO WAY that’s safe!’
- New report blows the whistle on railroads who cover up injuries and death
- REEF Act passes in Senate committee
- Oberman calls out UP, BNSF for cutting jobs when they should focus on growth
- NS, SMART-TD, BLET and FRA sign landmark C3RS safety agreement