The US House and Senate reached an agreement Tuesday on a bill aimed at improving safety on the nation's railroads.
The bill, which must still be voted on, will see the installation of new technology on trains to reduce the chances of deadly collisions by 2015.
The bill comes just days after a commuter train and a freight train collided in Chatsworth, California, killing 25 people and injuring many more.
Senator Dianne Feinstein said that she hoped the deal would be passed before Congress comes to a close.
"However, I’m very disappointed about the deadline. I would hope they could have done at least the highest priority single track lines that carry both passenger and freight by 2012 instead of 2015," she said.
Senator Barbara boxer said that she was pleased that the bill has been strengthened but also showed disappointment at the installation date.
"I am also committed to continuing my work to accelerate the date of implementation of these safety systems. I intend to introduce legislation in the next Congress to increase the grant programme substantially for railroads that implement positive train control technology by 2012 for high risk areas," she said.
The Federal Railroad Administration said that it would take five years to develop the technology to the point where it will be inter-operable for different rail carriers.
The bill would make $50m available for a grant programme to help railroads install the technology.
By Daniel Garrun
