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(Washington D.C.)- Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (D-Norwalk) will hold a railroad safety hearing in Norwalk, California on August 9th to examine Federal, State and Local roles in rail safety. “I have invited Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL), Chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, to the 38th district, and I am honored that she will be presiding over this hearing.” Napolitano serves on this subcommittee, which is part of the whole Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
"Every day, 160 trains travel through my district carrying approximately 14,000 containers. With train traffic expected to triple by 2020, I am gravely concerned about the integrity of the aging rail infrastructure, which will inevitably lead to more derailments. From October 2004 to May 2005, there were 5 derailments in this area alone” explained Napolitano. “We must take active measures to increase rail safety, especially in densely populated urban areas where tracks are right against homes and businesses. Federal, State, local governments, and railroad companies must work together to improve the safety and quality of life in these communities. They deal with increased traffic delays at grade crossings, air quality issues, and noise pollution.”
Clifford Eby, Deputy Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, will be testifying. Other witnesses will include the California Public Utilities Commission, California Operation Lifesaver, Alameda Corridor East Construction Authority, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and several local elected officials. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) and Union Pacific Railroad (UP) will testify on behalf of the rail industry.
WHAT: House Transportation Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Hearing on “Federal, State, and Local Roles in Rail Safety”
WHEN: Thursday, August 9, 2007
3:00p.m., PST
WHERE: Norwalk City Council Chambers
12700 Norwalk Blvd.
Norwalk, California 90650-1030
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