Heitkamp met with FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo to discuss the need for improved and more frequent rail inspections in North Dakota and throughout the country. Data collected by the Automated Track Inspection Program is designed to improve track integrity and rail safety.

"We deserve to know the condition of the tracks that run through our communities and it's crucial that those tracks are continually checked so our towns and families aren't at risk. It's important the FRA has committed to look closely at the track quality around Casselton, which will go a long way to helping prevent future derailments," said Sen. Heitkamp.