U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith Announce Grants to Improve Rail Safety in Metro Area

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced grants to three cities in the Twin Cities Metro Area to make upgrades to rail-pathways that focus on improving the safety and mobility of travelers and goods.
“Blocked rail crossings not only inconvenience drivers, but also delay emergency vehicles and threaten public safety,”said Klobuchar.“This federal investment will reduce traffic, boost efficiency and improve rail crossing safety. Investments in our infrastructure serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state.”
“Revitalizing our infrastructure is about more than just fixing railways or roads; it’s about improving people’s lives, which is precisely what this project will do,”said Senator Smith.“These rail-pathways help connect families and businesses across the metro area and are critical for shipping and commerce in Minnesota. Investing in projects like these not only makes our roads and railways safer but helps support local economies across the state.”
Three cities received grants:
This investment is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which both Klobuchar and Smith supported and worked to pass. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorized the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rail Crossing Elimination Grant Program (RCE), which provides funding for highway-rail and pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that improve the safety and mobility of people and goods.
Klobuchar and Smith have both cosponsored the bipartisanRailway Safety Act. This legislation will make key updates to improve rail safety protocols, including increasing inspections on trains that carry hazardous materials, requiring rail carriers to have emergency response plans, and increasing penalties for rail companies when crashes happen.
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