Whitmer signs bill ensuring railroad crossing infrastructure fully funded to protect Michigan motorists

Tuesday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 4252 to ensure that funding is in place to support and maintain adequate and functioning signage and warning devices at railroad crossings to protect Michigan motorists. The legislation splits the costs of railroad crossing sign upkeep and maintenance between railroad and road authorities, preventing any additional costs from being passed on to drivers.

“Since I took office, Michigan has fixed over 13,000 lane miles of road and more than 900 bridges to keep drivers safe on the road as they go to work, drop their kids off at school, or run errands,” said Whitmer. “Today’s bipartisan bill adds to the over 800 I have signed so far and further enhances road safety by putting up and maintaining adequate, functional signage at railroad crossings.

Let’s keep working together to keep drivers safe as we head into another busy construction season with more orange barrels and cones than ever.”

House Bill 4252 requires the Michigan Department of Transportation:

  • To complete a study to determine traffic control device maintenance costs.
  • To update the fees road authorities pay railroads annually for the maintenance of active warning devices at railroad-roadway grade crossings.  

House Bill 4252 was sponsored by Rep. Tim Sneller, D – Grand Blanc.