Kuhl Urges Additional Railroad Inspection

Press Release

KUHL URGES ADDITIONAL RAILROAD INSPECTION

U.S. Representative John R. "Randy" Kuhl, Jr. (R-Hammondsport) today urged Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph H. Boardman to conduct further investigation on outstanding problems that must be addressed on New York's railroads.

"Last February, following the CSX train derailment in Monroe County, the Federal Railroad Administration conducted multiple track inspections. While I appreciate everything they've done over the past year to ensure the safety of railroads in New York, the derailment this morning tells me that we still have problems we must address," said. Rep. Kuhl. "I am asking Administrator Boardman to send a Federal Railroad Administration investigative team to Canastota immediately to determine the cause of the accident, and take the immediate necessary action."

This is the second time Congressman Kuhl has approached the Federal Railroad Administration to request assistance for the 29th District. The first occurred immediately following the train derailment in Monroe County on January 16, 2007. Within a month, the FRA had completed multiple track inspections, fines levied upon railroads, and investigative teams were sent to the site of derailments. The train derailment today occurred around 6 a.m. and involved approximately 15-20 cars. The location of this derailment is a mere five miles from Oneida, N.Y., where a CSX train derailed in March, triggering the explosion of four liquid propane tankers. No one was injured in the Oneida accident, but hundreds of local residents were evacuated, the New York Thruway was temporarily shut down, and Amtrak passenger service was interrupted.

"While the cause for today's derailment in Canastota has not yet been determined, I believe we must immediately take action to ensure the safety of our railroads, and prevent further derailments which could result in the catastrophic loss of life," said Rep. Kuhl.

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