State of Indiana v. Norfolk Southern Railway Company , 84 N.E.3d 1230 ( 2017 )


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  •                                                                               FILED
    Oct 10 2017, 9:46 am
    CLERK
    Indiana Supreme Court
    Court of Appeals
    and Tax Court
    ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT                                    ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
    Curtis T. Hill, Jr.                                        John C. Duffey
    Attorney General of Indiana                                Heather L. Emenhiser
    Stuart & Branigin LLP
    Larry D. Allen                                             Lafayette, Indiana
    Deputy Attorney General
    ATTORNEYS FOR AMICUS CURIAE,
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN
    RAILROADS
    Harold Abrahamson
    Jonathan Halm
    Abrahamson, Reed, & Bilse
    Hammond, Indiana
    IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
    State of Indiana,                                          October 10, 2017
    Appellant-Defendant,                                       Court of Appeals Case No.
    02A03-1607-IF-1524
    v.                                                 Appeal from the Allen Superior
    Court
    Norfolk Southern Railway                                   The Honorable Wendy Davis,
    Company,                                                   Judge;
    The Honorable David M. Zent,
    Appellee-Plaintiff
    Magistrate.
    Trial Court Cause No.
    02D05-1503-IF-2039,
    02D06-1505-IF-2988,
    02D05-1505-IF-3070,
    02D06-1505-IF-3071,
    02D04-1505-IF-3082,
    02D04-1505-IF-3084,
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017                       Page 1 of 17
    02D06-1505-IF-3183,
    02D06-1505-IF-3246,
    02D05-1505-IF-3248,
    02D04-1505-IF-3251
    02D04-1505-IF-3255,
    02D06-1505-IF-3262,
    02D04-1505-IF-3263,
    02D05-1505-IF-3264,
    02D05-1505-IF-3312,
    02D04-1505-IF-3362,
    02D06-1505-IF-3363,
    02D06-1506-IF-6379,
    02D04-1506-IF-6383,
    02D04-1508-IF-9742,
    02D06-1508-IF-9744,
    02D06-1511-IF-13718,
    02D04-1512-IF-15577
    May, Judge.
    [1]   The State of Indiana (“State”) appeals the trial court’s grant of summary
    judgment in favor of Norfolk Southern Railway Company (“Norfolk”). 1 The
    State argues the trial court erred as a matter of law when it determined
    Indiana’s Blocked Crossing Statute, Indiana Code section 8-6-7.5-1 (“Indiana
    Blocked Crossing Statute”), is preempted by the Interstate Commerce
    Commission Termination Act (“ICCTA”) and the Federal Railroad Safety Act
    (“FRSA”). We reverse and remand. 2
    1
    The Association of American Railroads (“AAR”) appeared as Amicus Curiae.
    2
    We held oral argument in this case on August 29, 2017, in the Indiana Court of Appeals Courtroom. We
    thank counsel for their able advocacy.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017                 Page 2 of 17
    Facts and Procedural History
    [2]   The facts here are not disputed. In 2015, the State issued twenty-three citations
    to Norfolk for violations of Indiana’s blocked-crossing statute, Indiana Code
    section 8-6-7.5-1 (“Indiana’s Blocked Crossing Statute”). Norfolk does not
    dispute “that the trains in these causes blocked the crossings for more than ten
    minutes on each occasion.” (App. Vol. II at 7.) Nevertheless, Norfolk
    challenged the citations.
    [3]   On September 21, 2015, Norfolk filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing
    Indiana’s Blocked-Crossing Statute is preempted by the ICCTA and the FRSA.
    The State responded, and the trial court held a hearing on the matter on
    January 12, 2016. On June 8, 2016, the trial court granted Norfolk’s motion for
    summary judgment after concluding “I.C. 8-6-7.5-1 is preempted by the
    Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act (“ICCTA”), 
    49 U.S.C. § 10101
    , et seq., and the Federal Railroad Safety Act (“FRSA”), 
    49 U.S.C. § 20101
    , et seq.” (Id. at 9.)
    [4]   In its order granting summary judgment in favor of Norfolk, the trial court
    outlined some of the relevant facts which led to the citations:
    1. Trains block grade crossings in excess of ten minutes for
    various reasons in the performance of Norfolk Southerns’ [sic]
    railroad operations in New Haven.
    2. For example, Norfolk Southern performs switching operations
    in connection with its service to various industries. Performing
    switching maneuvers typically at Rose Avenue and Hartzell
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017   Page 3 of 17
    Road, which are directly east of the East Wayne Yard. Safe
    coupling of cars during switching operations must be completed
    at slow speeds. Coupling cars at anything but a slow speed may
    cause cars to derail. Switching operations typically take longer
    than ten minutes to perform. Norfolk Southern could not
    perform these switching operations without, at times, blocking
    grade crossing [sic] in excess of ten minutes.
    3. Further, inbound trains may be held while waiting for entry
    into the East Wayne Yard and to allow other train traffic to pass.
    This may result in grade crossing blockages in excess of ten
    minutes. Trains may also stop as the result of a mechanical
    defect with the train, resulting in grade crossing blockages in
    excess of the [sic] minutes.
    4. Doyle Road is the first siding track east of the East Wayne
    Yard. Trains park on the siding to allow other train traffic to
    pass on the mainline. This may result in grade crossing
    blockages on Doyle Road in excess of ten minutes.
    5. To attempt to limit the time a train may obstruct a grade
    crossing to ten minutes Norfolk Southern would be required to
    run trains at a faster speed so as to clear crossings more quickly,
    to run shorter (and, therefore, more numerous) trains so they can
    be stopped without obstructing grade crossings, or to break or
    “cut” the train to open the grade crossing for motor vehicle
    traffic.
    6. Norfolk Southern can only open grade crossings for motor
    vehicle traffic (during the time the train is stopped) by breaking or
    “cutting” the train into two or more segments (train segments),
    depending on the length of the train. Cutting a train requires a
    temporary interruption of the train’s braking system.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017   Page 4 of 17
    7. The crew must reassemble these train segments and perform
    an airbrake safety test required by federal regulations before the
    train can be moved - an airbrake test that can only be performed
    once the train is completely reassembled. Reassembling the train
    and performing the federally mandated airbrake test is a
    procedure that requires more than ten minutes to complete.
    8. Cutting and re-coupling train segments requires train crew
    members to dismount from the locomotive engine, walk to where
    the cut is to be made, and operate equipment necessary to
    perform the coupling or un-coupling operation. Crew members
    also have to set a sufficient number of handbrakes on that part of
    the train uncoupled from the engine(s). To complete the
    coupling process, employees must go between the ends of the
    cars and re-attach the air hoses that are part of [the] train’s
    braking system.
    9. Requiring employees to cut and reassemble train segments
    each time a train may block a grade crossing for more than ten
    minutes would also delay Norfolk Southern’s train operations/
    traffic because of the time involved in performing these
    maneuvers.
    (Id. at 7-8.)
    Discussion and Decision
    Summary Judgment Standard of Review
    [5]   We review decisions on summary judgment de novo and apply the same
    standard applied by the trial court. AM Gen. LLC v. Armour, 
    46 N.E.3d 436
    , 439
    (Ind. 2015). The movant must show the designated evidence raises no genuine
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017   Page 5 of 17
    issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of
    law. 
    Id.
    [6]   Here, the trial court made findings and conclusions in support of its entry of
    summary judgment. We are not bound by such findings and conclusions, but
    they aid our review by providing reasons for the decision. Allen Gray Ltd. P’ship
    IV v. Mumford, 
    44 N.E.3d 1255
    , 1256 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015). We will affirm a
    summary judgment on any theory or basis found in the record. 
    Id.
    Indiana’s Blocked-Crossing Statute
    [7]   Indiana’s Blocked-Crossing Statute states:
    It shall be unlawful for a railroad corporation to permit any train,
    railroad car or engine to obstruct public travel at a railroad-
    highway grade crossing for a period in excess of ten (10) minutes,
    except where such train, railroad car or engine cannot be moved
    by reason of circumstances over which the railroad corporation
    has no control.
    
    Ind. Code § 8-6-7.5
    -1. In State v. CSX Transp., Inc., we interpreted Indiana’s
    Blocked-Crossing Statute:
    The statute clearly states that it is illegal to obstruct public travel,
    not to simply obstruct the railroad crossing. The plain meaning
    of this language indicates that there must be evidence that the
    public attempted to travel across the railroad crossing before a
    violation of this statute occurs. Moreover, this court has
    previously held that the elements of a violation of this statutory
    provision are: 1) obstruction of public travel, 2) at a railroad
    crossing, 3) for more than ten minutes. Norfolk & Western Railway
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017    Page 6 of 17
    Co. v. State, 
    180 Ind.App. 185
    , 
    387 N.E.2d 1343
    , 1344 (1979), reh.
    denied, trans. denied.
    
    673 N.E.2d 517
    , 519 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996).
    [8]   Here, the trial court concluded Indiana’s Blocked Crossing Statute is preempted
    by the ICCTA and the FRSA.                  This issue of federal preemption of Indiana’s
    Blocked-Crossing Statute is one of first impression. Our Indiana Supreme
    Court recently reiterated our standard of review when a party argues
    preemption:
    It has “long been settled” that a preemption analysis begins with
    the presumption that federal statutes do not preempt state law.
    Bond v. United States, ––– U.S. ––––, 
    134 S. Ct. 2077
    , 2088, 
    189 L.Ed.2d 1
     (2014). The presumption against preemption comes
    from two concepts “central to the constitutional design” - the
    Supremacy Clause and federalism. See Arizona v. United States,
    
    567 U.S. 387
    , 
    132 S. Ct. 2492
    , 2500, 
    183 L.Ed.2d 351
     (2012).
    Although the Supremacy Clause 3 gives Congress the power to
    preempt state law, federalism requires that we do not easily find
    preemption. See id. at 2501. In fact, we find preemption only if it
    is “the clear and manifest purpose of Congress.” Id.
    [Appellants], then, must show that clear and manifest purpose in
    order to overcome the presumption against preemption. Russ.
    Media Grp., LLC v. Cable Am., Inc., 
    598 F.3d 302
    , 309 (7th Cir.
    2010).
    3
    “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof . . . shall
    be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the
    Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.” U.S. Const. art. VI, cl. 2.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017                      Page 7 of 17
    Congress can preempt state law in three ways: express
    preemption, field preemption, and conflict preemption. Basileh v.
    Alghusain, 
    912 N.E.2d 814
    , 818 (Ind. 2009). Express preemption
    exists when Congress states the statute’s preemptive effect. 
    Id.
    Field preemption applies when Congress creates “exclusive
    federal regulation of the area.” 
    Id.
     And conflict preemption
    preempts a state law that conflicts with federal law. Arizona, 
    132 S. Ct. at 2501
    .
    Kennedy Tank & Mfg. Co., Inc. v. Emmert Indus. Corp., 
    67 N.E.3d 1025
    , 1028 (Ind.
    2017) (footnote in original).
    [9]   Further, the United States Supreme Court has described when federal law
    preempts state law under the Supremacy Clause:
    First, Congress can define explicitly the extent to which its
    enactments pre-empt state law. Pre-emption fundamentally is a
    question of congressional intent, and when Congress has made
    its intent known through explicit statutory language, the courts’
    task is an easy one.
    Second, in the absence of explicit statutory language, state law is
    pre-empted where it regulates conduct in a field that Congress
    intended the Federal Government to occupy exclusively. Such
    an intent may be inferred from a “scheme of federal regulation ...
    so pervasive as to make reasonable the inference that Congress
    left no room for the States to supplement it,” or where an Act of
    Congress “touch[es] a field in which the federal interest is so
    dominant that the federal system will be assumed to preclude
    enforcement of state laws on the same subject.” Although this
    Court has not hesitated to draw an inference of field pre-emption
    where it is supported by the federal statutory and regulatory
    schemes, it has emphasized: “Where . . . the field which
    Congress is said to have pre-empted” includes areas that have
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017   Page 8 of 17
    “been traditionally occupied by the States,” congressional intent
    to supersede state laws must be “‘clear and manifest.’”
    Finally, state law is pre-empted to the extent that it actually
    conflicts with federal law. Thus, the Court has found pre-
    emption where it is impossible for a private party to comply with
    both state and federal requirements, or where state law “stands as
    an obstacle to the accomplishment and execution of the full
    purposes and objectives of Congress.”
    English v. Gen. Elec. Co., 
    496 U.S. 72
    , 78-9 (1990) (internal citations omitted,
    ellipses in original). 4
    ICCTA
    [10]   The trial court found Indiana’s Blocked-Crossing Statute is preempted by the
    ICCTA, which was enacted in 1996 “to standardize all economic regulation
    (and deregulation) of rail transportation under Federal law, without the
    optional delegation of administrative authority to State agencies to enforce
    Federal standards, as provided in the relevant provisions of the Staggers Rail
    Act.” H.R. Rep. No. 104–311 (reprinted in 1995 U.S.C.C.A.N. 793, 807).
    [11]   The ICCTA’s preemption clause clarifies the role of the Surface Transportation
    Board (“STB”), the relevant governing body of the ICCTA:
    4
    Throughout the proceedings, most notably during the oral argument, Norfolk maintained Indiana’s
    Blocked-Crossing Statute is expressly preempted by the ICCTA and the FRSA, and it has insisted on
    interpreting the trial court’s order as an “all or nothing” declaration of express preemption. Therefore, we
    will not examine conflict preemption or field preemption.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017                        Page 9 of 17
    (b) The jurisdiction of the [STB] over
    (1) transportation by rail carriers, and the remedies
    provided in this part with respect to rates, classifications,
    rules (including car service, interchange, and other
    operating rules), practices, routes, services, and facilities of
    such carriers; and
    (2) the construction, acquisition, operation, abandonment,
    or discontinuance of spur, industrial, team, switching, or
    side tracks, or facilities, even if the tracks are located, or
    intended to be located, entirely in one State, is exclusive.
    Except as otherwise provided in this part, the remedies provided
    under this part with respect to regulation of rail transportation are
    exclusive and preempt the remedies provided under Federal or
    State law.
    
    49 U.S.C. § 10501
    .
    [12]   When a statute contains an express preemption clause, “the task of statutory
    construction must in the first instance focus on the plain wording of the clause,
    which necessarily contains the best evidence of Congress’ preemptive intent.”
    CSX Transp., Inc. v. Easterwood, 
    507 U.S. 658
    , 664 (1993). The State argues the
    ICCTA does not expressly preempt Indiana’s Blocked-Crossing Statute:
    “Although the ICCTA provides remedies for violations of various rules, there
    are not remedies for obstruction of traffic. . . . ICCTA only accounts for the
    explicit remedies found within the act . . . [Therefore,] the silence as to
    obstruction of traffic bars facial preemption.” (Br. of Appellant at 15.) We
    agree.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017    Page 10 of 17
    [13]   The State relies on Adrian & Blissfield R. Co. v. Village of Blissfield, 
    550 F.3d 533
    (6th Cir. 2008), in which the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals explained the
    STB’s test for determining preemption:
    First, state actions are “categorically” or “facially” preempted
    where they “would directly conflict with exclusive federal
    regulation of railroads.” . . . CSX Transp., Inc., STB Fin. Docket
    No. 34662, 
    2005 WL 1024490
    , at *3 (S.T.B. May 3, 2005)).
    Courts and the STB have recognized “two broad categories of
    state and local actions” that are categorically preempted
    regardless of the context of the action: (1) “any form of state or
    local permitting or preclearance that, by its nature, could be used
    to deny a railroad the ability to conduct some part of its
    operations or to proceed with activities that the Board has
    authorized” and (2) “state or local regulation of matters directly
    regulated by the Board-such as the construction, operation, and
    abandonment of rail lines; railroad mergers, line acquisitions,
    and other forms of consolidation; and railroad rates and service.”
    CSX Transp., 
    2005 WL 1024490
    , at *2 (citations and footnote
    omitted); see also [New Orleans & Gulf Coast Ry. Co. v.] Barrois, 533
    F.3d [321,] 332 [(5th Cir. 2008)]; Emerson [v. Kansas City S. Ry.
    Co.], 503 F.3d [1126] 1130 [(10th Cir. 2007)]; Green Mountain
    [R.R. Corp. v. Vermont], 404 F.3d [638,] 642 [2d Cir. 2005)].
    Because these categories of state regulation are “per se
    unreasonable interference with interstate commerce,” “the
    preemption analysis is addressed not to the reasonableness of the
    particular state or local action, but rather to the act of regulation
    itself.” CSX Transp., 
    2005 WL 1024490
    , at *3; see also Barrois,
    533 F.3d at 332; Green Mountain, 404 F.3d at 644. Second, those
    state actions that do not fall into one of these categories may be
    preempted as applied: “For state or local actions that are not
    facially preempted, the section 10501(b) preemption analysis
    requires a factual assessment of whether that action would have
    the effect of preventing or unreasonably interfering with railroad
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017   Page 11 of 17
    transportation.” Barrois, 533 F.3d at 332 (quoting CSX Transp.,
    
    2005 WL 1024490
    , at *3).
    As the Fifth Circuit recently noted, “the STB has clearly
    identified where routine crossing disputes, such as the one at
    issue in this case, fall in this scheme of ICCTA preemption.” 
    Id.
    “Routine crossing disputes,” “despite the fact that they touch the
    tracks in some literal sense,” “are not typically preempted.” 
    Id. at 332-33
     (noting “that ‘[t]hese crossing disputes are typically
    resolved in state courts’” (quoting Maumee & W. R.R. Corp. &
    RMW Ventures, LLC, STB Fin. Docket No. 34354, 
    2004 WL 395835
    , at *2 (S.T.B. Mar. 3, 2004))). We agree that “[t]he
    STB’s position with respect to these routine crossing cases is
    consistent with the historical, pre-ICCTA rule governing these
    crossing disputes.” 
    Id. at 333
    . As the [United States] Supreme
    Court explained,
    The care of grade crossings is peculiarly within the
    police power of the states, and, if it is seriously
    contended that the cost of this grade crossing is such as
    to interfere with or impair economical management of
    the railroad, this should be made clear. It was certainly
    not intended by the Transportation Act to take from the
    states or to thrust upon the Interstate Commerce
    Commission investigation into parochial matters like
    this, unless by reason of their effect on economical
    management and service, their general bearing is clear.
    
    Id.
     (quoting Lehigh Valley R.R. Co. v. Bd. of Pub. Util. Comm’rs, 
    278 U.S. 24
    , 35, 
    49 S. Ct. 69
    , 
    73 L.Ed. 161
     (1928)).
    Id. at 540.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017   Page 12 of 17
    [14]   Further, in Fayus Enterprises v. BNSF Ry. Co., 
    602 F.3d 444
     (D.C. Cir. 2010),
    reh’g en banc denied, cert. denied, 
    562 U.S. 1108
     (Dec. 13, 2010), the D.C. Circuit
    Court of Appeals reasoned, when examining another provision under the
    ICCTA:
    Plaintiffs correctly point out that the ICCTA does not preempt all
    state and local regulations. The circuits appear generally, for
    example, to find preemption of environmental regulations, or
    similar exercises of police powers relating to public health or safety, only
    when the state regulations are either discriminatory or unduly
    burdensome. See, e.g., Adrian & Blissfield R.R. Co. v. Village of
    Blissfield, 
    550 F.3d 533
    , 539 (6th Cir. 2008); Green Mountain R.R.
    Corp. v. Vermont, 
    404 F.3d 638
    , 643-44 (2d Cir. 2005) (including
    risk of permitting delay in assessment of burden); N.Y.
    Susquehanna & W. Ry. Corp. v. Jackson, 
    500 F.3d 238
    , 252-55 (3d
    Cir. 2007); Friberg v. Kansas City S. Ry. Co., 
    267 F.3d 439
     (5th Cir.
    2001) (finding common law nuisance preempted); Fla. E. Coast
    Ry. Co. v. City of W. Palm Beach, 
    266 F.3d 1324
    , 1331 (11th Cir.
    2001); cf. City of Auburn v. U.S. Gov’t, 
    154 F.3d 1025
    , 1030 (9th
    Cir. 1998) (seeming to apply a broader preemption rule). Several
    of the cases, in addressing these environmental regulations, note
    that the ICCTA “does not preempt only explicit economic
    regulation.” N.Y. Susquehanna & W. Ry. Corp., 
    500 F.3d at 252
    ;
    see also City of Auburn, 
    154 F.3d at 1030
     (similar). By implication,
    such cases recognize that the core of ICCTA preemption is
    “economic regulation,” which we take to refer to regulation of
    the relationship before us here, that of shippers and carriers.
    Id. at 451 (emphasis added).
    [15]   The ICCTA does not include language regarding regulation of a blocked
    crossing for traffic regulation purposes. Without State action, railroads would
    be allowed to block major thoroughfares for an infinite amount of time because
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017      Page 13 of 17
    the federal regulation is silent. Based on the holdings in Fayus and Blissfield, and
    cases cited therein as support, we hold Indiana’s Blocked-Crossing Statute is
    not expressly preempted by the ICCTA, not only because there is no specific
    language in the ICCTA preempting the regulation of railroad crossings, but also
    because Indiana’s Blocked-Crossing Statute is a permissible exercise of the
    State’s “police powers relating to public health or safety.” Fayus, 
    602 F.3d at 451
    .
    FRSA
    [16]   The trial court found Indiana’s Blocked-Crossing Statute is also preempted by
    the FRSA. The State directs us to the FRSA preemption clause, which states:
    (a) National uniformity of regulation -
    (1) Laws, regulations, and orders related to railway safety
    and laws, regulations, and orders related to railroad
    security shall be nationally uniform to the extent
    practicable.
    (2) A State may adopt or continue in force a law,
    regulation, or order related to railroad safety or security
    until the Secretary of Transportation (with respect to
    railroad safety matters), or the Secretary of Homeland
    Security (with respect to railroad security matters),
    prescribes a regulation or issues an order covering the
    subject matter of the State requirement. A State may
    adopt or continue in force an additional or more stringent
    law, regulation, or order related to railroad safety or
    security when the law, regulation, or order -
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017   Page 14 of 17
    (A) is necessary to eliminate or reduce an essentially
    local safety or security hazard;
    (B) is not incompatible with a law, regulation, or an
    order of the United States Government; and
    (C) does not unreasonably burden interstate
    commerce.
    
    49 U.S.C. § 20106
    . Congress enacted the FRSA to “promote safety in every
    area of railroad operations and reduce railroad related accidents and incidents.”
    
    49 U.S.C. § 20101
    .
    [17]   In State v. Wheeling & Lake Erie Ry. Co., 
    743 N.E.2d 513
     (Ohio Ct. App. 2000),
    the Ohio Court of Appeals held Ohio’s blocked-crossing law was not expressly
    preempted by the FRSA. The language of the statute is similar to that of the
    Indiana Blocked-Crossing Statute:
    No railroad company shall obstruct, or permit or cause to be
    obstructed a public street, road, or highway, by permitting a
    railroad car, locomotive, or other obstruction to remain upon or
    across it for longer than five minutes, to the hindrance or
    inconvenience of travelers or a person passing along or upon
    such street, road, or highway. No railroad company shall fail, at
    the end of each five minute period of obstruction of a public
    street, road, or highway, to cause such railroad car, locomotive,
    or other obstruction to be removed for sufficient time, not less
    than three minutes, to allow the passage of persons and vehicles
    waiting to cross.
    This section does not apply to obstruction of a public street, road,
    or highway by a continuously moving through train or caused by
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017   Page 15 of 17
    circumstances wholly beyond the control of the railroad
    company, but does apply to other obstructions, including without
    limitation those caused by stopped trains and trains engaged in
    switching, loading, or unloading operations.
    
    Id. at 514
     (quoting Ohio Revised Code 5589.21). The Ohio Appeals Court
    interpreted the clause in the FRSA, 
    49 U.S.C. § 20106
    , which states “[a] State
    may adopt or continue in force a law, regulation, or order related to railroad
    safety until the Secretary of Transportation prescribes a regulation or issues an
    order covering the subject manner of the State requirement,” and concluded the
    FRSA did not preempt the Ohio law because “[n]either the trial court nor
    appellee has indicated any federal regulation governing this issue, let alone
    demonstrated the ‘clear and manifest purpose of Congress’ to preempt local
    regulations on how long a stopped train can block an intersection.” Wheeling,
    
    743 N.E.2d at 514
    .
    [18]   We adopt the holding of Wheeling because of the similarity between the state
    statutes in question. As we concluded regarding the ICCTA supra, there is no
    language in the FRSA which explicitly pre-empts Indiana’s Blocked Crossing
    Statute.
    Conclusion
    [19]   We hold Indiana’s Blocked Crossing Statute is not expressly pre-empted by the
    ICCTA or the FRSA. In this narrow holding, we do not address conflict or
    field pre-emption because Norfolk refused to discuss their application. See supra
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017   Page 16 of 17
    n.4. Accordingly, we reverse and remand for proceedings consistent with this
    opinion.
    [20]   Reversed and remanded.
    Brown, J., and Pyle, J., concur.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 02A03-1607-IF-1524 | October 10, 2017   Page 17 of 17