Investigators on the scene of the crash (file)
WASHINGTON – Wednesday will mark the first anniversary since a woman’s vehicle became stuck on railroad tracks at a Valhalla grade crossing resulting in a crash with a Metro-North commuter train, killing six people and injuring 15 others.
Since then, Congress and the appropriate regulatory agencies have been working to upgrade facilities to prevent future crashes.
On Monday, House members Nita Lowey and Sean Patrick Maloney both outlined upgrades being developed along with federal funding for them.
The Valhalla crash occurred in Lowey’s district and both lawmakers were at the scene after it occurred.
“The memory of that image has been a reminder for the past year that we absolutely must improve the safety of railcar things in our communities, and that is why I have been working extremely hard with Congressman Maloney at the federal level since this crash to enable upgrades and improvements to make rail car crossings safer,” Lowey said.
While improvement plans are in the works, Federal Railway Acting Administrator Sarah Feinberg also said Monday nothing concrete has been done yet.
“We continue to work with MTA, and I know they are continuing to work with their partners, but physically, nothing has been done that we know of to change the equipment at that crossing, and that is a decision that would be made by New York State and MTA,” she said.
Feinberg said the NTSB is continuing its investigation into the crash and more information and recommendations will come out once that has been completed.
