Blocked crossing laws
How long can a train block a crossing in Connecticut?
Connecticut law limits a train to 5 minutes blocking a road crossing, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 13b-339. We found no Connecticut court ruling on this limit. Courts elsewhere have held similar limits preempted by federal law, so it may not be enforceable against railroads. Checked 16 October 2026.
The rule
Connecticut law lets a traveler who is kept from crossing railroad tracks on a public road for more than five minutes by a train, car, locomotive or gate sue the railroad for 25 dollars plus costs.
Exceptions and local rules
Suit must be filed within 30 days of the blockage. Only the first person to file notice with the Commissioner of Transportation of intent to sue can recover for a given blockage. The statute lists no other exceptions. Separately, § 13b-342 lets the Commissioner of Transportation issue orders on crossing obstruction, with a forfeit of 50 dollars a day for breaking one.
Any person traveling upon any public highway, which is crossed by the tracks of any railroad company, who is obstructed or prevented from crossing such tracks for a longer time than five minutes, by reason of any train, car or locomotive using or occupying such highway, or by any gate, may recover twenty-five dollars and costs from the corporation or person owning or operating such railroad
Does federal law override it?
No federal law sets a time limit for a train blocking a crossing. Federal law does control how railroads run trains, and courts have used it to set aside state time limits.
When a court holds a state limit preempted, the state cannot enforce it against the railroad. A limit no court has ruled on is still on the books, but railroads may challenge it the same way.
Where to report a blocked crossing
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) takes blocked crossing reports from the public for every state.
Report to the FRA blocked crossing reporter
We found no Connecticut state page for blocked crossing reports, so the FRA reporter is the place to report.
If a train is blocking the crossing right now, call the railroad on the number shown on the blue sign at the crossing.
Crossings in Connecticut
Connecticut has 362 public crossings in the FRA crossing inventory.