Although the “Rail Safety and Security Act of 2016” passed the DC City Council 13-0 last month, “large interests have been working behind the scenes to maintain the status quo and keep the District of Columbia without a rail safety office,” according to a petition the Metro Washington Council launched yesterday. Click here now to send a letter to DC City Council members urging them to support the Rail Safety Act when it comes up for a final vote next Tuesday, December 20. CSX operates 31 daily freight trains through the District, transporting mixed freight and commodities - including hazardous materials. Back in May, Ward 5 residents in Northeast D.C. narrowly avoided a major disaster when five tanker cars leaked their contents as a result of a derailment (photo), and freight rail traffic through DC is projected to double after the completion of a new Virginia Avenue tunnel by CSX.