Blocked crossing laws
How long can a train block a crossing in Oregon?
Oregon has no state law that limits how long a train may block a crossing. Checked 16 October 2026.
The rule
Oregon has no blocked-crossing time limit in force. State law gives the state alone the power to limit how long a crossing may be blocked: the Oregon Department of Transportation may set limits by order after an investigation and hearing. The department's old 10-minute rule was held not enforceable by the Oregon Court of Appeals in 2009 and is no longer in the current state rules.
Exceptions and local rules
Cities and counties may not set their own limits, because the power belongs only to the state. Any limit the department sets must fit the reasonable needs of train and road traffic. Breaking a limit set by the department carries a civil penalty of 100 to 3,000 dollars per offense.
The power to fix and regulate the length of time a public railroad-highway grade crossing may be blocked by railroad equipment is vested exclusively in the state.
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 Oregon 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 Oregon
Oregon has 1,876 public crossings in the FRA crossing inventory.