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Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (H.R. 22)


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#11 CNJRoss

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Posted 05 January 2016 - 08:42 AM

Stamford (CT) Advocate, 1/1/16:
 

Blumenthal: ‘A major step forward for rail safety’

 

Last month, Congress passed the FAST Act, the first major, long-term transportation bill in a decade, providing $3.5 billion for Connecticut’s roads and rails and ending a dangerously irresponsible era of patch and pray funding for our aging transportation system. While there is much to celebrate, the bill is far from perfect, rolling back some truck and rail safety provisions while also failing to address many urgent auto safety needs.

 

After years of kicking the can down our nation’s potholed roads with dozens of temporary and inadequate funding extensions, Congress has finally provided states the long-term certainty needed to begin necessary, major infrastructure investments. That work alone will create millions of jobs for construction workers across the country.

 

SNIP

 

Despite its flaws, this bill is a major step forward for rail safety and investment, incorporating many of the provisions I championed and authored following the cascading catastrophes that plagued Metro-North and Amtrak in recent years. Much work remains — this is not a mission accomplished moment — but these measures will undoubtedly save the lives of countless commuters and workers.

 

For the first time, passenger rail and rail safety are addressed in what has historically been solely a “highway” bill. It dedicates funding for Northeast Corridor rail distinct from the broader Amtrak network, a landmark recognition not only of the Corridor’s vital role in regional transportation, but its deteriorating and outdated infrastructure. It establishes the first ever national freight program, providing a vital lifeline to ports in Connecticut while reducing congestion on I-95.

 

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#12 CNJRoss

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Posted 10 January 2016 - 10:17 AM

DailyVoice.com, 1/8:
 

Blumenthal Hails Train Safety Technology In Visit To Sperry Rail In Danbury

 

DANBURY, Conn. -- A Danbury company's rail flaw detection technology is "exciting and inspiring," U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said after touring the facility on Wednesday.

 

Blumenthal visited Sperry Rail Service in Danbury to highlight new increases in funding for rail safety technology that will support the critical work of companies such as Sperry.

 

"Sperry is at the forefront of worldwide efforts to make trains safer by detecting defects in the tracks and enabling prompt work to correct them," he said later Wednesday.

 

SNIP

 

Last month, Congress passed the FAST Act, a long-term surface transportation bill that provides funding certainty and increases investments in infrastructure—growing jobs and improving safety.  .  .  .

 

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#13 Sloan

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Posted 09 May 2017 - 08:49 AM

 

 

All the ways we could make trains safer and smarter

 

Traveling by train can be smooth and uneventful—or absolutely miserable. This spring, a series of derailments and delays caused by aging equipment at New York Penn Station snarled travel at the busiest rail hub in the North America, culminating in a plan for much-needed repairs that will disrupt commuters’ schedules for months.

http://www.popsci.co...fer-and-smarter






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