Track inspection
Rail Track Inspectors
The first federal track safety standards were implemented in 1971, following the enactment of the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 in which Congress granted to the FRA comprehensive authority over "all areas of railroad safety." A qualified railroad employee, in accordance with a schedule prescribed in these standards (49 CFR 213), must visually inspect all tracks in Iowa. The state of Iowa DOT's track inspectors, working with the Federal Railroad Administration, provide regulatory oversight of the railroad track safety effort to enhance railroad compliance with federal law.
The track inspector territories are roughly divided by a north/south line along Interstate 35 that divides the state into a western and eastern section. The inspectors occasionally work together and switch territories.
Track inspectors
Grant Krienert
Grant Krienert inspects the Western portion of Iowa. Grant previously worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a track inspector for 17 years before joining the Iowa DOT in 2021.
Grant Krienert
Iowa Department of Transportation
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010
712-540-4973
David Phillips
David Phillips inspects the Eastern portion of Iowa. David previously worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a track maintenance manager for over 6 years before joining the Iowa DOT in 2022.
David Phillips
Iowa Department of Transportation
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010
515-290-1584
The State of Iowa is in Region 6 of the Federal Railroad Administration. Region 6 covers Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.