U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced a significant increase in the number of inspectors overseeing railroad bridge safety. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, will expand its team from fewer than 10 to over 160 inspectors. This move aims to enhance the structural safety oversight of railroad bridges across the country.
The new initiative involves training both federal and state track inspectors as part of FRA’s State Safety Participation Program. These inspectors will conduct field inspections and may recommend civil penalties if defects are found in railroad bridges. Currently, a small FRA team audits railroads' bridge management programs to ensure safe maintenance practices.
"The Trump Administration is delivering on its promises to make government more efficient and keep travelers safe," said Secretary Duffy. He emphasized that using the existing workforce for better oversight is beneficial for Americans.
Drew Feeley, FRA Acting Administrator, noted that the Bridge Safety Standards have been crucial in ensuring bridge safety and that additional training for inspectors will provide more opportunities to confirm their structural soundness.
Jared Cassity from SMART Union expressed support for this initiative, highlighting the importance of bridge integrity for public safety and commending the administration's actions to increase qualified inspectors through training.
The FRA was approached by several state partners eager to help enforce Bridge Safety Standards. Consequently, FRA is leveraging its authority to allow both federal and state agency inspectors to review railroad bridge safety under current regulations.
Training for 163 federal and state track inspectors is set to begin in November. It will cover various aspects of bridge mechanics, focusing on identifying critical defects that could indicate deficiencies in a railroad's inspection program. The comprehensive training includes modules on different types of bridges and components necessary for successful implementation.
For more information about the Federal Railroad Administration's initiatives, visit their official website at www.fra.dot.gov.
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