HOUSE MEMORIAL 68

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Eliseo Lee Alcon

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION SECURE FEDERAL FUNDING TO ELIMINATE HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSINGS IN MCKINLEY AND CIBOLA COUNTIES AND REPLACE THEM WITH NEW RAILROAD BRIDGES.

     WHEREAS, demand and use of railroad freight service is forecast to grow significantly in the near future; and

     WHEREAS, the length of rail cars and the number of trains have increased a great deal over recent years; and

     WHEREAS, additional rail traffic is raising safety concerns and creating long delays; and

     WHEREAS, emergency vehicles have been blocked at rail crossings, remaining stopped for significant periods of time; and

     WHEREAS, a respectful working relationship between all stakeholders has created a fruitful safety culture that aims to address the harm caused in impacted communities; and

     WHEREAS, in good faith, the Burlington northern Santa Fe railway company is responding with capital expenditure to match funding; and

     WHEREAS, investing in new bridges can improve safety by separating rail and vehicular traffic, and also will allow trains to travel faster, to the greater economic benefit to the nation; and

     WHEREAS, the investment may be a catalyst for job creation and improve rail service reliability for on-time performance;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the United States department of transportation federal railroad administration and the New Mexico congressional delegation be requested to secure federal funding to build new railroad bridges in impacted communities in McKinley and Cibola counties; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the United States secretary of transportation, the Burlington northern Santa Fe railway company, the New Mexico secretary of transportation, the Navajo Nation division of transportation and the Pueblo of Laguna urban transportation planning division.

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