KINGSTON – Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and several municipal leaders have reacted to the recent rail safety issues by demanding stronger regulations of the freight railroad industry that have tracks running through areas such as Ulster County, where CSX has several miles of tracks, including a super-siding, and a rail yard on Ulster Avenue in Kingston. The tracks that run through Ulster carry approximately 30 trains a day.
Metzger was joined by 7 mayors and town supervisors from Ulster County who represent towns that CSX travels through, in sending a letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Federal Rail Administration (FRA) Administrator Amit Bose demanding stronger regulations of the freight railroad industry that would improve safety for communities that host rail corridors.
In the letter, County Executive Metzger wrote “rail infrastructure is inadequately maintained and presents unacceptable risks and hazards. Over the years, our communities have documented many concerning conditions, including unsafe bridges, dilapidated crossings, and dangerous track conditions.” Metzger goes on to write that “At a time when railroad companies are reporting record earnings, the lack of investment to protect public health and safety is unacceptable.”
The letter seeks comprehensive action on many fronts, urging the FRA and DOT to strengthen safety standards on tank cars, require electronic braking systems, implement derailment detectors, enact minimum safe staffing levels, increase minimum fines on bad actors, improve the safety of at-grade crossings, increase funding for equipment and training for local first responders, and providing advance notice when hazardous materials are being shipped through the county.
Thirty-eight miles of West Shore Rail Line run through seven municipalities in Ulster County, including through the most densely developed urban cores, and 13 miles of track are located on the shores of the Hudson River. On an annual basis, more than 25 million tons of freight, including crude petroleum, waste, industrial chemicals, motor vehicles, and other goods and materials are transported through these communities. Nearly 200 trains pass over 30 at-grade rail crossings every week in the county. The average speed of each CSX train going through the county is 35 MPH.
