The Rail Bridge Safety and Transparency Act requires the Department of Transportation to establish minimum structural and safety standards for railroad bridges within two years, covering aspects like corrosion, cracking, and rust limits. Within five years, the department must create a publicly accessible database of bridge inspection reports showing each bridge's condition (poor, fair, or good), location, owner, and inspection date. Railroad carriers must begin submitting detailed inspection reports indicating whether their bridges meet safety standards and, for bridges in poor condition, must provide repair timelines and cost estimates. The bill also establishes a Rail Bridge Safety Concern Reporting System allowing states, local governments, and tribes to report bridge hazards, with the department empowered to investigate and direct repairs or impose speed restrictions, backed by civil penalties of $1,000 to $20,000 per week for non-compliance. Additionally, the law requires railroads to post signs identifying bridge owners and a phone number for public safety concerns, mandates randomized federal bridge inspections, and authorizes funds for additional bridge safety personnel.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.