U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) chairs the powerful U.S. House Transportation Committee on Capitol Hill. He joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” this morning. Congressman Graves tells listeners he supports bipartisan legislation to prevent automakers from eliminating AM broadcast radio in new cars, saying 90 percent of Americans are covered by an AM radio station or stations. He also says AM radio is critical in rural Missouri for emergency alerts, weather information and news. Congressman Graves also says crossings will be a key part of the final National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report on the deadly 2022 train collision and derailment in north-central Missouri’s Mendon in his district, and he also weighed in on the controversy surrounding embattled U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-New York). Congressman Santos is charged in a 13-count federal indictment. Congressman Graves describes Congressman Santos as a “professional con man”:
(AUDIO): Missouri Congressman Graves expects NTSB report on deadly Amtrak derailment to highlight crossing markings
A northern Missouri congressman who chairs the U.S. House Transportation Committee says a federal agency is working on its final report on last June’s deadly collision between an Amtrak passenger train and a dump truck near Mendon.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a two-page preliminary report in July, which notes the train was authorized to go 90 miles per hour in that stretch. NTSB says the Amtrak train was traveling 89 miles per hour when the emergency brakes were activated. U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) tells 939 the Eagle that he expects the final NTSB report to mention the marking of crossings.
“What’s interesting about it is and we had a crossing marking problem and we’ve had that in various places across the country for that matter when it comes to marking some of those crossings. And there’s money out there to be able to do that but it’s kind of a limited number that are done each year. Well the good news with that is it’s sped up that process considerably and getting more and more of those marked every year,” Congressman Graves says.
The NTSB’s preliminary report says the June 2022 collision caused $4-million in damage. The crash killed three train passengers and dump truck driver Billy Barton II. About 150 others suffered injuries.
“That’s one of the good things that will come out of this very unfortunate accident is to see more of those crossings marked quicker,” says Graves.
Congressman Graves, whose district includes Moberly and Mexico, traveled to Jefferson City on Monday to meet with state senators regarding the I-70 rebuild project.
“We came down to visit with the (Missouri) Senate. I know they’re working on the I-70 proposal along with the (Missouri) House and we just wanted to visit a little bit about that and some of the priorities that I am hoping to get done for the state of Missouri. So it’s always good to come back to the Capitol,” Graves says.
Congressman Graves tells 939 the Eagle that he will support whatever I-70 bill is ultimately approved by state lawmakers. He confirms that he’s trying to find additional federal funding for the massive project.
Deadly train collision in northern Missouri last summer prompts funding call from Missouri’s governor
Missouri’s governor says the state must be proactive to prevent another tragedy like June’s deadly train collision in northern Missouri’s Mendon.
The June 2022 collision between an Amtrak passenger train and a dump truck killed three Amtrak passengers and dump truck driver Billy Barton II. Another 150 others suffered injuries.
“That’s why we’re including $35-million to begin updating railway crossings to modern-day safety standards all across the state of Missouri,” Governor Parson says.
The governor spoke during this week’s State of the State address. The governor praises residents in Mendon and Chariton County for helping so many people after the crash. Parson says “small town America rose to the occasion.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says the June collision also caused $4-million in damage.