The Legislation

The BUILD America 250 Act: New Haven's Opportunity

The BUILD America 250 Act is a major federal transportation package that funds roads, bridges, rail, and safety improvements across the country over the next five years, timed to America's 250th anniversary.

Included in the bill by title is the Railway Safety Act; it is not a standalone bill. It creates new funding and accountability measures for communities that live with active rail lines running through them, communities like New Haven and an estimated 3,100 others nationwide.

Why Now

The Deadline Is September 30.

House leadership decides when to bring the bill to the floor, and the House must pass it before September 30, or key transportation programs expire.

That is the window. Our congressional delegation needs to know New Haven supports this bill before that vote is scheduled, not after.

 
Days left until the September 30 deadline

Looking Ahead — Federal Accountability

What Comes After Passage

Passing the BUILD America 250 Act is a first step. Longer-term, the goal is for the Federal Railroad Administration to formally accept reports of blocked crossings and create a plan to address them, shifting responsibility for this problem from local municipalities like New Haven to the federal government that regulates the railroads.

Who Decides

Indiana's Congressional Delegation

These five offices have real influence over whether the BUILD America 250 Act moves forward. Copy the message for each one, then open their official contact form and paste it in, or send it as an email if a direct address is available. A message in your own words carries real weight.

JB Senator Jim Banks
Senator Jim Banks
U.S. Senate, Indiana
Subject: Support the BUILD America 250 Act for New Haven and Communities Like It
Dear Senator Banks, I'm writing as an Indiana resident from New Haven to ask you to support the passage of the BUILD America 250 Act, including the Railway Safety Act included within it. New Haven is one of an estimated 3,100 communities nationwide living alongside active rail lines that regularly block local crossings — our own Broadway crossing closes an average of 22 times a day. Under current law, neither our city nor the State of Indiana has the authority to hold the railroad accountable for that; the courts have settled that only Congress can. The BUILD America 250 Act gives Congress the tools to change that. The House needs to act before September 30, and I want you to know New Haven is behind this bill. Please vote yes on the BUILD America 250 Act. Thank you for your service to Indiana, [Your name] New Haven, IN [ZIP]
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TY Senator Todd Young
Senator Todd Young
U.S. Senate, Indiana
Subject: New Haven Asks for Your Support on the BUILD America 250 Act
Dear Senator Young, As a resident of New Haven, Indiana, I'm asking you to support the BUILD America 250 Act, a transportation package that includes the Railway Safety Act. Communities like New Haven — and an estimated 3,100 others nationwide — live with active rail lines that regularly block local crossings, and current law leaves no city or state with the authority to hold railroads accountable. That responsibility sits with Congress alone. This bill is a practical step: it funds roads, bridges, and rail safety improvements over the next five years and, for the first time, gives railroads real accountability measures. I'd appreciate your support for the BUILD America 250 Act, and I want you to know New Haven is behind this effort. Respectfully, [Your name] New Haven, IN [ZIP]
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MS Congressman Marlin Stutzman
Congressman Marlin Stutzman
U.S. House, Indiana's 3rd District (New Haven's own representative)
Subject: Your New Haven Constituents Are Ready for a Yes Vote
Dear Congressman Stutzman, I live in New Haven, in your district, and I'm writing to ask for your support — and your vote — on the BUILD America 250 Act. You've seen what our crossings look like when the gates come down at Broadway. On average, that happens 22 times a day, and neither New Haven nor the State of Indiana has the legal authority to do anything about it — the courts have settled that only Congress can hold railroads accountable for blocked crossings. The BUILD America 250 Act, including the Railway Safety Act, is our best chance to change that. The House needs to pass it before September 30, and I want you to know your constituents in New Haven are ready for you to vote yes. Thank you for representing us on this, [Your name] New Haven, IN [ZIP]
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JS Representative Jefferson Shreve
Representative Jefferson Shreve
U.S. House, Indiana's 6th District · Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
Subject: A Committee Vote That Matters to New Haven
Dear Representative Shreve, I'm writing from New Haven, Indiana — outside your district, but with a direct stake in the work you do on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. As a member of the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, you have real influence over whether the BUILD America 250 Act, and the Railway Safety Act within it, move forward. New Haven is one of an estimated 3,100 communities nationwide where active rail lines regularly block local crossings — our Broadway crossing alone closes an average of 22 times a day — and no city or state has the legal authority to hold railroads accountable for that. Only Congress does, and your subcommittee sits at the center of that decision. I'm asking you to support the BUILD America 250 Act and help move it forward before the House's September 30 deadline. Fellow Hoosiers in New Haven are counting on it. Thank you for your work on this committee, [Your name] New Haven, IN [ZIP]
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RY Representative Rudy Yakym
Representative Rudy Yakym
U.S. House, Indiana's 2nd District · former member, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
Subject: A Committee Vote That Matters to New Haven
Dear Representative Yakym, I'm writing from New Haven, Indiana, outside your district, but with a direct stake in an issue you know firsthand from your time on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. During your term on the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, you saw up close how little authority communities have over the railroads that run through them. New Haven is one of an estimated 3,100 communities nationwide where active rail lines regularly block local crossings — our Broadway crossing alone closes an average of 22 times a day — and no city or state can hold the railroads accountable for it. Only Congress can. I'm asking you to support the BUILD America 250 Act, and the Railway Safety Act within it, and help move it forward before the House's September 30 deadline. Fellow Hoosiers in New Haven are counting on it. Thank you for your service to Indiana, [Your name] New Haven, IN [ZIP]
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