Terre Haute Mayor Joins Fight for Rail Safety Reform
Mayor Brandon Sakbun is pushing for federal legislation to address the issue of trains blocking local traffic.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in City Hall
Live Poll
Should the federal government be held responsible for solving traffic delays caused by blocked rail crossings?
Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun has joined the Move the Train initiative to pressure Congress into passing the Build America 250 Act. The bill includes the Railway Safety Act, which aims to provide relief for communities frustrated by prolonged rail crossing blockages.
Why it matters
Current federal law prioritizes rail traffic over local pedestrians and motorists, leaving communities with little recourse to manage frequent traffic delays. Residents are now organizing through petitions to demand legislative changes that would grant local jurisdictions more authority.
Federal Railroad Administration rules only count a crossing as blocked if it lasts 30 minutes or longer, a metric advocates seek to reform. Meanwhile, New Haven recorded over 38,481 minutes of blockages on Broadway Street as of October 13, 2026.
The players
Brandon Sakbun
Brandon Sakbun is the Mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana, who is currently advocating for federal rail safety reforms.
Federal Railroad Administration
The Federal Railroad Administration is the government agency responsible for enforcing rail safety regulations and monitoring crossing blockages.
The details
Terre Haute is simultaneously moving forward with a $30 million overpass project at 13th Street and 8th Avenue to mitigate local congestion. While state and federal courts have ruled that regulatory enforcement rests with the federal government, local officials hope the new legislation will provide funding for future infrastructure projects.
Timeline
2023: The Norfolk Southern v. City of New Haven decision ruled that federal authorities hold enforcement power.
October 13, 2026: New Haven recorded over 38,481 minutes of blockages at a single crossing.
2026: The $30 million Terre Haute overpass project is expected to go out to bid.
2027: Major construction for the Terre Haute overpass is scheduled to begin.
2028-2030: The Build America 250 Act could provide funding for further Terre Haute infrastructure projects.
Political Context
The push for the Build America 250 Act follows the Norfolk Southern v. City of New Haven judicial ruling that solidified federal preemption over local rail enforcement. Opponents of the initiative often argue that federal standards must remain uniform to ensure the stability of the national supply chain.
The planned $30 million overpass at 13th Street and 8th Avenue aims to reduce daily traffic delays for local motorists and pedestrians. Continued support for the Move the Train petition could influence future federal funding for additional grade-separation projects in the state.
The takeaway
Communities facing frequent rail delays are increasingly turning to federal lobbying as a primary strategy to bypass limited local authority. Infrastructure projects like overpasses offer immediate local relief while waiting for long-term federal regulatory changes.
What happens next
The Terre Haute overpass project is scheduled to go out to bid in 2026, with major construction expected to follow in 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local legislative advocacy by visiting the City Hall section.
More information
Residents can view the petition and support the movement at the Move the Train petition portal.
Live Poll
Should the federal government be held responsible for solving traffic delays caused by blocked rail crossings?
