Congresswoman Hails $75 million in Appropriations bill for Train Anti-Collision Technology
Washington, DC – July 2, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) hailed today’s subcommittee approval by the House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee of a FY 2011 spending measure that includes $75 million for state-of-the-art technology to prevent train collisions.
“I thank Subcommittee Chairman John Olver for honoring my request to fund the positive train control program,” Congresswoman Roybal-Allard said during the subcommittee markup. “The Los Angeles area witnessed a deadly accident when a freight train collided head on with a commuter passenger train in 2005. I am convinced, that had this technology been present, that crash could have been avoided and this tragedy averted. The bill’s investment will help to protect our communities.”
Last year, as a result of discussions with Transportation, Housing Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John Olver, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard ensured initial funding was made available for train anti-collision technology, known as “positive train control,” within the research and development account of the Federal Railroad Administration.
Since then, the congresswoman worked with the leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to increase the amount of funding available for the program and specifically requested that Chairman Olver fund the program this year. Roybal-Allard’s strong case for the funding prompted the chairman to fund the program at a level substantially above what was expected.
The legislation awaits passage by the full committee, and then the full U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 mandates implementation of Positive Train Control on railroads nationwide by 2015. In Los Angeles, the Southern California Regional Rail Authority is developing an accelerated strategy to have Positive Train Control operational on the Metrolink system by 2012. This goal is in conjunction with Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroads, both of which also plan to complete the installation of wayside Positive Train Control equipment along their rights-of-way in Southern California by 2012
