NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The City of Norfolk is helping to get the word out about an online system the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) created for citizens and law enforcement to report blocked railroad crossings.

The system has been around for a few years, but data shows its existence is not yet common knowledge yet.

In a news release to residents this month, Norfolk city officials wrote, “We understand the inconvenience caused by blocked railroad crossings can be frustrating. In recent years, changes in rail operations and public perception have made this a nationwide issue. Transportation agencies from other states have raised these concerns with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).”

10 On Your Side has previously reported on the FRA online reporting system.

Following a WAVY investigative report in 2022 on blocked crossings, Suffolk directed its police department to begin reporting extended delays using the law enforcement option on the FRA’s Blocked Crossing Incident Reporter — as well as calling the SCC. The city’s director of communication later told 10 On Your Side they noticed improvement since making that change.

That said, more than a year after the FRA launched the online reporting portal, WAVY learned only 21 complaints had been filed across the seven main Hampton Roads cities. The overwhelming majority were in Chesapeake.

Did you know it’s illegal for trains in Virginia to block an intersection at a dead stop for more than five minutes for non-emergency reasons.

Norfolk has a good number of railroad crossings. According to the city, there are no federal rules to address blocked crossings. Until there are, Norfolk says Commission staff “will forward blocked crossing complaints to the FRA for all public crossings in Norfolk and will work with railroads when there is an imminent safety hazard resulting from a blocked crossing.”

Click here to file a blocked crossing report with the FRA.

Example of blue sign posted at railroad crossings.

Steps to Report a Blocked Crossing

You can report a blocked crossing while stopped at one using your smartphone — or at a later time. Act quickly, though. The FRA system will not accept reports seven days or older.

  1. Report the Blocked Crossing to the Railroad: Contact the railroad using the toll-free number listed on the blue sign that is posted at the crossing.
  2. Record Information: The City of Norfolk encourages you to file your blocked crossing complaint with the FRA immediately. Include this information with your complaint:
    1. Train blocking crossing – or – Crossing lights/gates activated, but no train.
    2. Date and time of blockage. Duration of blockage
    3. Any immediate impacts observed (i.e. first responders unable to cross tracks; pedestrians observed climbing over/under/through cars, etc.)
    4. Any additional comments (i.e. school arrival/dismissal disrupted; postal or other deliveries delayed; fewer customers visiting business; traffic congestion/gridlock; etc.)
  3. File a blocked crossing report with the FRA. The FRA says on average it should only take about 3 minutes to complete the report.

The FRA says it is using the information collected to gain a more complete picture of “where, when, and for how long such obstructions occur at the nation’s approximately 130,000 public grade crossings.”

Norfolk officials said there are more blocked crossings because railroads have increased train lengths in an effort to reduce operating costs and in some cases, trains need to stop due to disabled equipment, switching operations, safety protocols, etc.