House Panel Adds 3-Year Delay on Rail Safety To 3-Week Highway Bill

"WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers have introduced legislation that if passed this week could avoid a potential rail service disruption resulting from a year-end safety deadline few railroads are expected to meet.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Monday rolled out a bill that would keep federal highway funds moving to the states through Nov. 21. The legislation would also extend a Dec. 31 deadline for positive train control until the end of 2018.

Congress required the collision-avoidance system in a 2008 law, but most railroads are nowhere finished installing it. The Government Accountability Office has been warning lawmakers for at least two years that the companies would not be ready by the deadline."

Curtis Tate reports for McClatchy October 26, 2015.