Anacostia Rail Holdings President and CEO Peter Gilbertson testified June 18 on behalf of ASLRRA (American Short Line and Regional Rail Association) at the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines and Safety “On the Right Track: Modernizing America’s Rail Network” hearing, detailing the role short line railroads play in the interconnected freight rail network.
Gilbertson “outlined three initiatives that would enable short lines to remain a critical transportation provider to more than 10,000 customers, and a driver of economic growth in small town and rural areas of the United States,” ASLRRA noted. “Short lines face steep economic and regulatory challenges. Most operate on infrastructure that is decades old and must overcome disproportionately high capital costs with limited revenue.”
“Short lines are high-impact businesses in underserved areas,” said Gilbertson. “They are job creators, safety multipliers and sustainability drivers. But to remain viable and competitive, we need reliable, accessible infrastructure funding, with CRISI (Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program grants) at its core, a modern regulatory approach rooted in performance, not outdated prescriptions, and the flexibility to innovate, test and deploy new technologies—safely and efficiently.”
Gilbertson illustrated the “transformational impact” of the CRISI grant program on Anacostia railroads, and across the short line industry. Since inception, the CRISI grant program has invested more than $2.7 billion in 240 short line projects across the U.S., matched by $1.28 billion from private and non-federal sources. “Strengths of the program include the predictability of funding provided through advance appropriations and the merit-based approach for awarding projects,” ASLRRA said. “The program could be more powerful if Congress addressed the delays in projects moving from award to obligation and completion. Some grant recipients report lags of 18-24 months. Short line projects are relatively uncomplicated. Streamlining implementation and allowing for greater flexibility in project management would ensure that federal dollars translate more quickly and effectively into real-world benefits.”
Gilbertson also called for continued federal support of programs that help address safety between railroads and the motoring public (Operation Lifesaver, Section 130, and the Rail Crossing Elimination program), and the Short Line Safety Institute, which addresses safety culture on short line railroads.
The short line industry, ASLRRA, is also urging the Department of Transportation to implement “a transformational regulatory approach: the Risk Reduction Program (RRP) Congressional mandate, which would provide the foundation for regulatory reform and innovation.”
In his testimony, Gilbertson stressed rail technology advances “are driving safer, more efficient and more sustainable transportation solutions. From automated track inspection to predictive maintenance and low-emission locomotives, these innovations are not only enhancing operations but also supporting broader national goals: increasing fuel efficiency, driving economic growth, improving safety and connecting communities. Continued investment and regulatory flexibility, particularly for waivers, is essential to unlock the full potential of these technologies and ensure that America’s rail network remains a global leader in 21st century transportation.”
