U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, representing Washington and serving as the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, addressed the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety in a hearing titled “On the Right Track: Modernizing America’s Rail.” The focus was on rail investments for economic support, safety improvements, and passenger rail backing in anticipation of upcoming surface transportation reauthorization.
Cantwell emphasized the importance of increasing rail investment to facilitate quick and safe product movement. She highlighted that "rail is critical" in her state with significant freight traffic. The Senator also noted safety concerns due to an increase in derailments over the past decade. "Strengthening safety requirements to prevent derailments" was one of her priorities.
Witnesses at the hearing included Ian Jefferies from the Association of American Railroads; Peter Gilbertson from Anacostia Rail Holdings Company; Husein Cumber from Brightline Holdings; and Clarence Anthony from the National League of Cities.
Cantwell underscored Washington's role as a conduit for Midwest agricultural products reaching international markets via ports like Longview and Kalama. This infrastructure supports efficient export logistics, vital for maintaining competitive edge.
A recent incident in Edmonds illustrated safety challenges at rail crossings. In response to such issues, Cantwell initiated a $3 billion Railroad Crossing Elimination Program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address these dangers through community-driven solutions.
The need for funding remains high with applications far exceeding available resources since 2021. Cantwell stressed prioritizing this program's full funding during discussions on surface transportation reauthorization.
Additionally, she advocated for measures preventing hazardous material train derailments—a pressing concern given Washington's significant crude oil transport by rail—and urged learning lessons from past incidents like East Palestine.
Cantwell also touched upon Amtrak's significance in regional connectivity ahead of events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ensuring predictable funding for Amtrak is crucial for long-term capital investments necessary to enhance passenger rail services.
During her Q&A session with witnesses, Cantwell explored how infrastructure investments impact agricultural competitiveness and highlighted issues faced by local communities due to bottlenecks at busy BNSF lines. Both Peter Gilbertson and Clarence Anthony supported increased investment to alleviate these problems.
Gilbertson noted that without infrastructure improvements allowing heavier grain cars access to short lines, participation in key supply chains would be hindered. Meanwhile, Anthony called for collaboration between local governments and rail industries to mitigate disruptions caused by blocked intersections impacting residents' daily lives.
In closing remarks, Cantwell reiterated support for enhanced communication between city leadership and railroads regarding transported materials—an essential aspect of ensuring community safety around rail networks.
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