Class one railroad officials are asking Congress to allow more time for them to implement new railroad safety provisions. The current deadline is December 31 of this year for installing positive train control which is a mechanism used to monitor and control train movements remotely. The railroad officials say rail service could be interrupted or even halted if the deadline isn’t extended. National Grain and Feed Association’s Director of Economics and Government Relations Max Fisher says his group is working with Congress on a solution.

He says any rail delay could harm all aspects of the agriculture industry. And Fisher thinks Congress understands the problem.

Rail company officials have written to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune letting him know of their concerns and the need for an extension.