ASLRRA's Baker urges Congress to pass infrastructure policies that benefit smaller railroads

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) President Chuck Baker yesterday testified before Congress on the short-line industry’s contributions to the U.S. supply chain.

Baker spoke at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight and Ports.

Baker urged lawmakers to adopt legislative policy that would create more leverage toward meeting economic and environmental goals as part of a surface transportation or infrastructure bill in the 117th Congress.

ALSRRA’s recommendations include:
• continued support of current federal grant programs — such as Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) and Infrastructure For Rebuilding America (INFRA) — and ensuring robust short-line eligibility;
• support for the Cantwell-Blunt Railroad Grade Crossing Elimination Act, S.1465, and the Thune-Hassan Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) reform bill, S.468;
• avoid increases to truck-size-and-weight limits; and
• avoid unnecessary operational mandates such as the size of train crews.

The subcommittee's hearing was titled "Freight Mobility: Strengthening America's Supply Chains and Competitiveness."