Bill 118 hr 9998, also known as the Rail Bridge Safety and Transparency Act, aims to improve the safety and transparency of rail bridges in the United States. The bill requires the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to establish a national database of all rail bridges in the country, including information on their condition, maintenance history, and inspection reports. Additionally, the bill mandates that rail bridge owners conduct regular inspections of their bridges and report any safety concerns to the FRA. The FRA will also be required to conduct its own inspections of rail bridges and make the results publicly available on the national database. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for funding to assist rail bridge owners in making necessary repairs and improvements to ensure the safety of the bridges. It also establishes penalties for rail bridge owners who fail to comply with the requirements of the bill. Overall, the Rail Bridge Safety and Transparency Act seeks to enhance the safety of rail bridges in the United States by increasing transparency, improving maintenance practices, and providing resources for necessary repairs.