CURRENT ISSUES IN RAILWAY ENGINEERING: ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY

Environmental regulation has introduced a new dimension to traditional railroad engineering. Sidestepping or ignoring pollution of the air, soil or water at job sites can affect schedules, budgets and, in the worst cases, create financial and criminal liability. Inattention to rules spawned by these laws has the potential to stop a project cold in its tracks. The article cites two environmental laws, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), more commonly known as Superfund, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), that primarily govern engineering and construction on rail and industrial infrastructure. The potential impact of these laws is examined.