Lines such as NJ Transit comply with Dec. 31 deadline for key safety technology, spending about $11.5 billion, with $3.4 billion in federal grant and loan funds provided.

Bipartisan bill extends renewables tax credits, but without prevailing wage provisions; energy and business groups support the legislation.

Stewards of public transportation and rail systems throughout the U.S. are facing both certain deadlines for installing positive train control (PTC) systems and uncertainty regarding the future of grants due to a proposed budget that has left some projects in limbo.

Rail work is underway across the system to prevent future derailments.

NTSB vice chairman has been an advocate for accelerated installation of positive train-control technology in U.S. rail infrastructure.