What's Happening in Northvale, NJ…

Trains hauling Bakken crude oil and other flammable materials are being required to slow down when they travel through urban areas like Northvale.

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued an order requiring the slowdown and other safety measures in light of recent derailments and other problems with the oil trains.

The trains pass thousands of businesses and homes in Northvale and other communities as they travel the CSX River line. The railroad runs through eastern Bergen County, where both residents and officials have expressed their concerns about the potential safety hazards of having 30 or more trains per week, carrying as much as three million gallons of oil, coming through at high speed.

Several major railroads have already set voluntary speed limits of 40 mph in heavily populated areas, but this new ruling makes the speed limits a requirement. The slowdown also extends to trains carrying flammable materials like ethanol.

The CSX River rail line that runs through Northvale and other communities travels up the west side of the Hudson River until it connects with railroad lines to North Dakota.

Northvale officials might consider working with brochure printers to create a booklet for residents, explaining the new regulations. They could also review railroad safety procedures with residents to make them aware of the potential dangers presented by all railroad operations, and urging them to be aware and alert around the tracks.