Advocacy News – July 19, 2023
Last week, the Governor signed MI Chamber supported legislation that would help address infrastructure barriers posed by railroad crossings at busy intersections. Senate Bill 125, sponsored by Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Township), and House Bill 4153, sponsored by Rep. Jaime Churches (D-Wyandotte), authorize the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to create a local grade separation program and grant fund for local communities to build overpasses and underpasses, separating vehicle traffic from railroad traffic.
This will help increase road safety and decrease traffic congestion at train crossings. Delays caused by trains can slow down the flow of traffic and represent a safety hazard for cars and pedestrians, and inhibit business growth. This bipartisan legislation will help communities with rail crossings grow, offering them resources to improve the flow of traffic, reduce delays, and encourage the safe flow of products coming from our agriculture, automotive and chemical industries and more.
It is important to note that the Chamber supported these bills while flagging significant concerns with another bill that would prohibit railroads from operating a freight or work train longer than 7,500 feet. Senate Bill 139 as pending before the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and sponsored by its Chair – Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) – states an intent of addressing congestion at road-grade rail crossings.
However, as the Chamber pointed out in testimony, it instead may do the opposite and create other unintended consequences for rail transport that is such a critical part of the state’s supply chain for numerous industries, including:
- Putting Michigan out of step nationally and with other states’ regulations.
- Requiring the reconfiguration of trains resulting in twice as many trains to transport the same amount of freight tonnage, actually increasing congestion at railyards in more populous and urban areas, hindering efficient movement of goods and likely increasing costs for consumers and businesses alike.
- Necessitating many more heavier locomotives on our rail infrastructure, putting more and faster wear and tear on tracks.
- Generating legal hurdles and expense as individual states trying to impose state-specific regulations like this are prohibited under the Interstate Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
For questions or more information, contact Mike Alaimo at malaimo@michamber.com.