Trains and traffic laws don’t always move in sync. North Dakota law says a train can’t block a roadway for more than 10 minutes—Minot’s ordinance cuts that to five—but federal rulings suggest those limits may not hold up. The railroads say they try to minimize disruptions, but slow-moving switch operations and crew changes can mean long waits. And enforcement? Nearly impossible.
Meanwhile, passenger rail service is also feeling the squeeze. Amtrak blames freight carriers for delays and wants the power to sue. A new bill in Congress could give them that leverage, but whether it gains traction is another question. Get the full story from Ben Pifher writing for The Minot Daily News.
