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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Two state senators, reacting to last week's fatal train-truck accident, say they plan to introduce legislation that could free at least $50 million to improve safety at railroad crossings around Illinois.

The money would be used to hire more inspectors and improve crossings, said Democratic Sen. Terry Link of Vernon Hills. He is drafting the legislation with Sen. Larry Walsh, whose

istrict includes Bourbonnais, site of last week's train-truck collision that killed 11 and injured more than 120.

The legislators say they plan to introduce the bill by Friday.

"If it prevents one fatal railroad-car accident, then it is money well spent, Link said Tuesday.

Currently, Illinois law dictates that $6 million each year in receipts from motor fuel taxes be deposited in the rail grade-crossing fund. It pays for construction or reconstruction of

rossing gates, lights and other safety devices.

Instead of pumping the money into that fund, Link and Walsh want to put it into a bond fund. It would be used to raise approximately $50 million. The bill also may propose issuing bonds in subsequent years, depending on whether the $6 million cash stream can support that.

Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, says he is dubious about the seriousness of Link's and Walsh's proposal.

"They haven't talked to us," said Rauschenberger, whose support is important for passage of the proposal.

It is unclear how far $50 million would go in fixing grade-crossing problems. The upgrading of one rail crossing can cost about $4 million, according to Illinois Department of Transportation officials.

A truck driven by John R. Stokes, 58, of Manteno was struck by Amtrak's City of New Orleans passenger train on March 15 at a grade crossing in Bourbonnais. Investigators are trying to determine if the crossing gates were down when Stokes attempted to drive across the tracks or if the gates malfunctioned.