D-BLOC Act Mandates 10-Minute Train Crossing Limit: What It Means for Your Commute and Emergency Services

If you’ve ever been stuck at a railroad crossing watching a freight train sit still for what feels like an hour, the Don't Block Our Communities Act (D-BLOC Act) is aimed squarely at you. This bill establishes a national, hard-and-fast rule: trains cannot block a public highway-rail grade crossing for longer than 10 minutes. This isn't just about saving commuters a few minutes; it's a big deal for emergency services that lose precious time waiting for a train to move.

The 10-Minute Timer and the Fine Print

Starting 60 days after a railroad is notified of repeated issues, the 10-minute limit kicks in, and the Secretary of Transportation can start issuing civil penalties for violations (Sec. 2). However, this rule is loaded with exceptions—and these are the details that matter. The 10-minute clock stops if the blockage is caused by a serious injury, an accident, a track obstruction, or an “act of God.” More importantly, the limit doesn't apply if the train is stopped to comply with Federal rail safety laws, unless that safety action could have "reasonably happen[ed] at a different time or place.” This safety exception gives railroads significant wiggle room to justify a long stop, which is something the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will have to police closely.

When Blockages Become a Problem

This bill sets up a clear escalation process for problem crossings. If a public crossing gets blocked for more than 10 minutes at least three different times within a 30-day period, the Secretary of Transportation must send a notice to the railroad. This notification triggers a mandatory investigation into the causes of the blockages and requires the railroad to start keeping detailed records, including the length of the train and the estimated duration of every blockage (Sec. 2). This recordkeeping is key because it forces the railroads to track their own behavior, providing the data needed for potential enforcement.

Penalties, Exemptions, and the Overpass Problem

While the FRA can issue fines, the bill includes a practical exemption that affects many communities. A railroad cannot be penalized if the violation occurs at a crossing where no alternate route created by a grade separation (like an overpass or underpass) exists within a half-mile. This is a crucial detail for rural areas or older industrial zones that lack infrastructure. For example, if you live in a town where the main road only crosses the tracks at grade level, the train can still block it for longer than 10 minutes without penalty until an overpass is built or fully funded. The bill also explicitly excludes Amtrak and commuter rail authorities from these specific regulations, even if they are using the same tracks, creating a regulatory gap for passenger operations (Sec. 2).

Your New Direct Line to the Railroad

One provision that directly empowers the public is the requirement for all Class I railroad carriers to establish a public telephone number for reporting blocked crossing incidents (Sec. 4). If you’re stuck at the crossing for 15 minutes, you can call this number, and the railroad must then verify the blockage within 14 days and enter the report into the FRA’s national blocked crossing portal. This makes it easier for everyday people to contribute to the official record, linking your personal frustration directly to the data that triggers federal investigations and potential penalties. The railroad must also publish an active link to the federal reporting portal right on the homepage of its public website (Sec. 3), making the reporting process more transparent and accessible.