Blocked crossing laws
How long can a train block a crossing in Michigan?
Michigan law limits a train to 5 minutes blocking a road crossing, under Mich. Comp. Laws § 462.391. A court has held that federal law preempts this limit, so it generally cannot be enforced against railroads. Checked 16 October 2026.
The rule
Michigan law says a train may not block a public road crossing for more than five minutes, or seven minutes if it keeps moving in one direction at 10 mph or more. A federal appeals court held in 2002 that this law is preempted by federal law, so it is not enforced against railroads.
Exceptions and local rules
Longer is allowed for a train moving in one direction at 10 mph or more (up to seven minutes), or when the railroad shows the delay came from a verifiable accident, a mechanical failure or another condition listed in the statute. Each violation carries a fine of 500 dollars.
A railroad shall not permit a train to obstruct vehicular traffic on a public street or highway for longer than 5 minutes at any 1 time,
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 Michigan 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 Michigan
Michigan has 4,672 public crossings in the FRA crossing inventory.