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Rep. Veasey and Bipartisan Texas Delegation Call for Extension of Positive Train Control Deadline

October 1, 2015

Positive Train Control implementation deadline for major railways in Texas, including the Trinity Railway Express, is December 31, 2015

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, and Congresswoman Kay Granger, TX-12, led a bipartisan Texas Delegation letter to Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to extend the impending December 31, 2015, deadline for railroads to fully implement Positive Train Control (PTC). PTC is an advanced technology mandated by Congress in the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 which is designed to make railroads safer by automatically stopping a train before certain types of accidents occur.

According to a letter from the Trinity Railway Express (TRE), the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T), and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), railroads in the DFW Metroplex and nationwide need more time to test, approve and install the PTC technology to comply with the December 31st deadline. Unless Congress acts to extend the deadline, railroads will be forced to shut down.

The effects in North Texas alone would halt TRE operations which include daily commuter and Amtrak's intercity service, which would increase traffic on already crumbling roads. "If Congress does not act to extend the deadline for railroads to implement this important safety technology, it would burden already congested DFW Metroplex roads and highways, and have a devastating effect on our local and national economy that relies on freight and rail to transport goods and services," said Rep. Veasey.

A copy of the letter is found below.

September 30, 2015

The Honorable John Boehner The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Speaker Minority Leader

U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives

H-232, The Capitol H-204, The Capitol

Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi:

As members of the Texas delegation, we write to express concerns with the impending December 31, 2015 deadline for implementing Positive Train Control (PTC) safety technology on railroads nationally. As you know, Congress included the PTC mandate in the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

PTC utilizes cutting-edge technology to automatically stop a train before an accident can occur. This new technology must be installed on approximately 60,000 miles of track and 20,000 locomotives. We recognize the need for PTC and fully support its implementation as soon as possible.

Despite billions of dollars in investment by the railroad companies, unforeseen regulatory and technological issues have created substantial delays. Additional time is still needed to finish installing PTC technology, train thousands of employees, and thoroughly test these brand-new systems. It is clear that most railroads will be unable to comply with the December 31 deadline.

Unless Congress acts to extend the deadline, railroads may be forced to shut down. A shutdown of the nation's rail network would cripple our transportation system and have a significant impact on our economy. We understand that railroads and their customers will begin considering their options well in advance of the December 31, 2015 deadline. Consequently, we support Congress acting to extend the deadline to implement PTC as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Marc Veasey
Member of Congress

Kay Granger
Member of Congress

Brian Babin
Member of Congress

Joe Barton
Member of Congress

Kevin Brady
Member of Congress

John Carter
Member of Congress

Mike Conaway
Member of Congress

Henry Cuellar
Member of Congress

John Culberson
Member of Congress

Blake Farenthold
Member of Congress

Bill Flores
Member of Congress

Louis Gohmert Jr.
Member of Congress

Al Greene
Member of Congress

Jeb Hensarling
Member of Congress

Ruben Hinojosa
Member of Congress

Will Hurd
Member of Congress

Sheila Jackson Lee
Member of Congress

Eddie Bernice Johnson
Member of Congress

Sam Johnson
Member of Congress

Kenny Marchant
Member of Congress

Michael McCaul
Member of Congress

Randy Neugebauer
Member of Congress

Pete Olson
Member of Congress

Ted Poe
Member of Congress

John Ratcliffe
Member of Congress

Pete Sessions
Member of Congress

Lamar Smith
Member of Congress

Michael Thornberry
Member of Congress

Filemon Vela
Member of Congress

Randy Weber
Member of Congress

Roger Williams
Member of Congress