The Fed Already Looking Into Paulsboro Bridge Collapse

Today's rail bridge collapse in Paulsboro has led U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) to quickly begin work with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and other federal agencies to investigate the incident. Several train cars containing hazardous materials were derailed and tumbled into the Mantua Creek.

“Safety is the highest priority along our railways, and this incident requires a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident and any impact on the environment in the surrounding areas,” says Lautenberg, chair of the Commerce Surface Transportation Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over rail safety. “Railways are essential to New Jersey's economy and we must further investigate this incident to make sure they are operated as safely as possible when they pass through our communities.”

Lautenberg is a longtime advocate railway safety. In August, he joined with Senators Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Senator Dick Durbin in requesting a Government Accountability (GAO) review of rail safety nationwide. The senators requested that the GAO investigate how the Federal Railroad Administration, state rail safety agencies, and other stakeholders cooperate to ensure the safety of people and goods.