HomeMy WebLinkAboutCA_Group Letter - Surface Transportation Reauth Support April 2026April 23, 2026
Dear Members of California’s U.S. Senate and House Delegation:
As state and local leaders from communities across California, we write to express our strong
support for including policies in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization that ensure
freight railroads remain a key pillar of our state’s infrastructure, economic growth, and
environmental progress.
California has reclaimed its position as the world’s fourth-largest economy, and freight railroads
are behind-the-scenes powerhouses keeping goods moving efficiently and affordably. With 27
freight railroads operating on the fifth-largest rail network in the country, these carriers are
integral to a third of our state’s economy that depends on reliable goods movement.
Unlike most other infrastructure systems, freight railroads fund and maintain their own
networks, spending and investing on average $23 billion annually to maintain, grow, and
modernize rail infrastructure. Each year, California’s railroads carry enough freight to
remove nearly 9 million truckloads from our highways—cutting traffic, roadway wear, and
emissions. In fact, a freight train can move a ton of goods from Los Angeles to
Sacramento, roughly 500 miles, on just a single gallon of fuel.
In a state where affordability is top of mind, freight rail also plays a vital role in holding down
transportation costs for consumers and businesses alike. Research has shown that railroads help
blunt inflation by insulating supply chains from price shocks. Lower shipping costs benefit every
corner of the California economy including housing, construction, and agriculture.
As you consider upcoming surface transportation reauthorization and other freight-related
legislation, we respectfully urge you to:
1. Sustain and Expand Federal Rail Grant Programs: California communities have excelled
in leveraging federal rail grants to improve safety, mobility, and sustainability. In the most recent
round of the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) program, California received more awards than
any other state, supporting projects across Merced, Dixon, Yolo, and Los Angeles counties. These
investments reduce risk, ease congestion, and support future freight and passenger rail. We urge
continued, robust funding for RCE and the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety
Improvements (CRISI) program, which deliver cost-effective, bipartisan results.
2. Oppose Unnecessary Operational Mandates: Prescriptive federal mandates on rail operation
such as fixed crew size would reduce rail’s flexibility and raise costs for California shippers. These
sort of one-size-fits-all rules ignore the safe and efficient performance of modern railroads and
would tip the balance toward less sustainable, more congested highway alternatives. Rail is
already the safest mode of overland freight transport, with consistent improvements in safety
over the past two decades, including a 24% decline in train accident rates since 2000.
3. Promote Modern Rail Regulations: California leads on climate and technology, and freight rail
should be allowed to innovate too. Technologies like automated track inspection can detect track
issues earlier and more accurately than older methods, enhancing safety and efficiency. But
outdated regulations risk sidelining these advances. Congress should support a modern
framework that enables railroads to deploy proven technologies to keep our rail network safer
and more resilient.
Freight rail connects California’s ports to farms in the Central Valley, warehouses to storefronts,
and local manufacturers to global markets. Rail supports affordable goods, lower emissions, and
a stronger state economy. We thank you for your leadership and look forward to working
together to ensure freight rail continues to deliver for California.
I authorize GoRail to include my name and organization on this group letter, which will be
delivered to the California Congressional Delegation in advance of its mark-up of an
infrastructure bill.
Erica A. Stewart, Mayor, City of San Luis Obispo
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Name / Title / Organization
4/20/2026
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Signature Date