Washington (May 24, 2021) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Representative Richard E. Neal (MA-01), Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, today announced the reintroduction of the Warren Cowles Grade Crossing Safety Act, legislation to modify an existing rail-safety grant program and increase the funding for grade crossing improvement projects to $250 million each year, adjusted for inflation. This legislation is named in honor of Warren P. Cowles, a dedicated public servant who was tragically struck by an Amtrak train on March 14, 2017 at the Tina Lane and Birnie Road grade crossing in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

 

This significantly increased funding will prevent unnecessary deaths by allowing for the installation of grade separations, railroad crossing signals, gates, lights, and other barriers or cautionary signage at grade crossings nationwide. A grade crossing is the area where a railway line intersects with a road or path. Grade crossings are significant danger zones, such that 33 percent of rail-related fatalities occur at these locations nationwide.

 

“It has been more than four years since Warren Cowles’ tragic death,” said Senator Markey. “His accident was the seventh collision and fifth fatality at the Longmeadow crossing since 1975, making it the deadliest grade crossing in Massachusetts – a distinction that no community should have to suffer. I am proud to have helped the residents of Longmeadow address the safety issues at their particular crossing, but we must do more to honor Warren’s memory. That’s why we’re reintroducing our legislation and will fight for its inclusion in any infrastructure package that passes Congress in the weeks ahead. We must increase grade crossing safety across the country and make sure we are preventing these accidents everywhere we can.”

 

“Thank you to Senator Markey for his partnership on this important bill that will not only improve the Bernie Road crossing in Longmeadow, but dangerous rail crossings like it across our country,” said Chairman Neal. “The passage of this bill will ensure the safety of passengers on trains travelling through this area, as well as rail workers and community members who frequently walk or drive near this site. As the number of trains continue to increase on this line, these improvements are of great importance now more than ever.”

 

“The Cowles family is honored to have this bill named after Warren,” said Cindy Cowles, sister of Warren Cowles. “The safety measures this legislation will promote would have saved his life and will ensure that accidents of this type won't happen again.”

 

A copy of the Warren Cowles Grade Crossing Safety Act can be found HERE.

 

After Warren Cowles’ 2017 accident, Senator Markey and Chairman Neal led a letter to Amtrak that urged the railroad company to address pressing safety issues at the Tina Lane and Birnie Road crossing. Throughout 2017 and 2018, the lawmakers’ helped secure a joint funding arrangement between Amtrak and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that allowed for the installation of a new gate and warning lights in Longmeadow. When Senator Markey learned that this work was delayed despite the funding agreement, he pressed Amtrak at Congressional hearings to expedite the project. Amtrak finished the Longmeadow grade crossing improvement project at the lawmakers’ urging in the fall of 2019.

 

“On behalf of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), I want to thank Senator Markey and Representative Neal for their leadership in tackling the critical issue of grade-crossing safety for commuter rail and other operators in high-ridership rail corridors,” said Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO of APTA. “Our commuter railroads have been working hard to mitigate these highway-rail grade-crossing incidents, often involving unlawful entry to the railroad’s right of way. These projects can be expensive to construct and establishing a specific source of funding for passenger rail grade-crossing safety will help our commuter railroads combat this critical safety issue. We strongly support the bill and look forward to working with Senator Markey and Representative Neal to ensure that it is included in any surface transportation legislation that Congress is considering this year.”