Blocked crossing laws
How long can a train block a crossing in Texas?
Texas has no state law that limits how long a train may block a crossing. Checked 16 October 2026.
The rule
Texas has no state time limit for a train blocking a crossing. Its old 10-minute law was held preempted by a federal appeals court in 2001, and the Legislature repealed it in 2015.
Citation: Former Tex. Transp. Code § 471.007, repealed by H.B. 2946, 84th Leg., R.S. (2015), effective 17 June 2015.
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
Texas has its own page about blocked crossings: the TxDOT Rail Division FAQ page.
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 Texas
Texas has 9,244 public crossings in the FRA crossing inventory.