The Federal Railroad Administration invests in Railroad Bridge Safety
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announces a large investment in Railroad Bridge Safety. The department will increase the number of safety inspectors who monitor railroad bridges from 10 to 160. The FRA is an administration under the guidance of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The railroads’ bridge management programs ensure safe maintenance practices and identify potential weaknesses to address.
“The Trump Administration is delivering on its promises to make government more efficient and keep travelers safe,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Leveraging our existing, dedicated workforce to improve oversight of railroad bridge safety is another common-sense win for Americans.”
“The Bridge Safety Standards have long helped assure that railroad bridges are safe,” said FRA Acting Administrator Drew Feeley. “The addition of this training for existing inspectors will give FRA many more opportunities to confirm the structural soundness of railroad bridges. We will continue to find new and cost-effective ways to improve safety.”
The trainings for the new inspectors will begin in November. The training will include modules on bridge fundamentals, that includes timber, steel, and concrete bridges. As well as the components of a Bridge Management Program (BMP) and the processes, protocols, and coordination necessary for this initiative to succeed. As a result in the increase of inspectors more audits will occur nationwide for railroad compliance with the Bridge Safety Standards. They may recommend civil penalty violations for states if certain critical defects are observed in the field.
