When a train stops, part of the city is cut off
At-grade crossings split cities into two sides. When a train stops across them, the other side can be out of reach. Without hard data, a city can't prove it, fund a fix, or change it.
Why blocked crossings matter
Emergency access
The FRA warns that blocked crossings "can hinder emergency services' access to individuals and hospitals."
Longer trains
The GAO found average train length at two major railroads grew about 25% from 2008 to 2017. Longer trains close more crossings at once.
Thin evidence
The FRA's portal relies on people choosing to report. Congressional researchers say it "may not be providing an accurate picture."
Blocked-crossing reports keep rising
Reports keep coming in, trains keep getting longer, and states can't set time limits. Every figure links to its public source.
Where the reports come from
| State | Reports |
|---|---|
| Texas | 7146 |
| Virginia | 1358 |
| Illinois | 1344 |
| Ohio | 856 |
| Tennessee | 766 |
Oklahoma crossing collisions hit a 10-year high
| Year | Collisions | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 30 | 9 |
| 2017 | 45 | 7 |
| 2018 | 37 | 5 |
| 2019 | 36 | 6 |
| 2020 | 40 | 1 |
| 2021 | 45 | 3 |
| 2022 | 44 | 3 |
| 2023 | 41 | 4 |
| 2024 | 38 | 4 |
| 2025 | 54 | 10 |
Federal programs now fund permanent fixes
States lost the power to set time limits. Federal money for permanent fixes, and a push for better data, is where the momentum is.
- Nov 2021The infrastructure law creates the Railroad Crossing Elimination program with $3B for FY2022–26.
- 2022A federal appeals court strikes down Oklahoma's 10-minute law as preempted by federal rail law; the Supreme Court declines the case.
- 2023–24First two rounds fund 186 projects: $573.3M (2023) and $1.15B (FY23–24).
- Jul 2024Norman Regional closes the Porter Avenue ER; care moves west of the tracks to I-35.
- Jan 2025A $400,000 federal grant funds a study of 52 crossings between Edmond, Oklahoma City and Norman.
- May 2026BUILD America 250 Act clears House committee 62–2: railroad data collection at crossings blocked 3+ times in 30 days, and $3.66B for FY2027–31.
- Jun 2026The FY2025–26 round ($1.15B) closes June 8. Awards are pending.
- Aug 2026Norman wins $1.44M to plan a grade separation at Tecumseh Road.
- Aug 2026Texas wins $756M in federal funding for 12 rail grade separations, including in Houston and San Antonio.
- Sep 2026Congress extends current programs to December 11, 2026; a long-term bill is pending.
Sources: CRS R48881 · FRA · FreightWaves · NACo · Construction Dive · City of Norman · Norman Regional
See it in a real city.
How these trends play out on Norman's BNSF corridor.