Revised Code of Washington - RCW Title 81 Transportation - Chapter 81.53 Railroads -- Crossings

81.53.010 Definitions
The term "commission," when used in this chapter, means the utilities and transportation commission of Washington. The term "highway," when used in this chapter, includes ...

81.53.020 Grade separation required where practicable
All railroads and extensions of railroads hereafter constructed shall cross existing railroads and highways by passing either over or under the same, when practicable, and ...

81.53.030 Petition for crossing -- Hearing -- Order
Whenever a railroad company desires to cross a highway or railroad at grade, it shall file a written petition with the commission setting forth the ...

81.53.040 Supplemental hearing -- Change of route
If the commission finds that it is impracticable to construct an over-crossing or under-crossing on the established or proposed highway, and shall find that by ...

81.53.050 Requirements of order on change of route
If the commission finds and determines that a change in route of an existing highway, or vacation of a portion thereof, is necessary or advisable, ...

81.53.060 Petition for alteration of crossing -- Closure of grade crossing without hearing
The mayor and city council, or other governing body of any city or town, or the legislative authority of any county within which there exists ...

81.53.070 Hearing
At the conclusion of the hearing the commission shall make and file its written findings of fact concerning the matters inquired into in like manner ...

81.53.080 Restrictions on structures, railway equipment, in proximity of crossings -- Minimum clearance for under-crossings
After February 24, 1937, no building, loading platform, or other structure which will tend to obstruct the vision of travelers on a highway or parkway, ...

81.53.090 Duty to maintain crossings
When a highway crosses a railroad by an over-crossing or under-crossing, the framework and abutments of the over-crossing or under-crossing, as the case may be, ...

81.53.091 Underpasses, overpasses constructed with aid of federal funds -- Apportionment of maintenance cost between railroad and state
See RCW 47.28.150. ...

81.53.100 Cost when railroad crosses highway
Whenever, under the provisions of this chapter, new railroads are constructed across existing highways, or highway changes are made either for the purpose of avoiding ...

81.53.110 Cost when highway crosses railroad
Whenever, under the provisions of this chapter, a new highway is constructed across a railroad, or an existing grade crossing is eliminated or changed (or ...

81.53.120 Cost when railroad crosses railroad
Whenever two or more lines of railroad owned or operated by different companies cross a highway, or each other, by an over-crossing, under-crossing, or grade ...

81.53.130 Apportionment of cost
In the construction of new railroads across existing highways, the railroads shall do or cause to be done all the work of constructing the crossings ...

81.53.140 Time for performance
The commission, in any order requiring work to be done, shall have power to fix the time within which the same shall be performed and ...

81.53.150 Practice and procedure
Modes of procedure under this chapter, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, shall be as provided in other provisions of this title. The commission is ...

81.53.160 Service of process
All notices required to be served by this chapter shall be in writing, and shall briefly state the nature of the matter to be inquired ...

81.53.170 Judicial review
Upon the petition of any party to a proceeding before the commission, any finding or findings, or order or orders of the commission, made under ...

81.53.180 Eminent domain
Whenever to carry out any work undertaken under this chapter it is necessary to take, damage, or injuriously affect any private lands, property, or property ...

81.53.190 Abatement of illegal crossings
If an under-crossing, over-crossing, or grade crossing is constructed, maintained, or operated, or is about to be constructed, operated, or maintained, in violation of the ...

81.53.200 Mandamus to compel performance
If any railroad company, county, municipality, or officers thereof, or other person, shall fail, neglect, or refuse to perform or discharge any duty required of ...

81.53.210 Penalty
If any railroad company shall fail or neglect to obey, comply with, or carry out the requirements of this chapter, or any order of the ...

81.53.220 Obstructions in highways
Whenever, to carry out any work ordered under RCW 81.53.010 through 81.53.281 and 81.54.010, it is necessary to erect and maintain posts, piers, or abutments ...

81.53.230 No new right of action conferred
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as conferring a right of action for the abandonment or vacation of any existing highway or portion ...

81.53.240 Scope of chapter
Except to the extent necessary to permit participation by first-class cities in the grade crossing protective fund, when an election to participate is made as ...

81.53.250 Employment of experts
The commission may employ temporarily such experts, engineers, and inspectors as may be necessary to supervise changes in existing crossings undertaken under this chapter; the ...

81.53.261 Crossing signals, warning devices -- Petition -- Hearing -- Order -- Costs apportionment -- Records not evidence for actions -- Appeal
Whenever the secretary of transportation or the governing body of any city, town, or county, or any railroad company whose road is crossed by any ...

81.53.271 Crossing signals, warning devices -- Petition contents -- Apportionment of installation and maintenance costs
The petition shall set forth by description the location of the crossing or crossings, the type of signal or other warning device to be installed, ...

81.53.275 Crossing signals, warning devices -- Apportionment when funds not available from grade crossing protective fund
In the event funds are not available from the grade crossing protective fund, the commission shall apportion to the parties on the basis of the ...

81.53.281 Crossing signals, warning devices -- Grade crossing protective fund -- Created -- Transfer of funds -- Allocation of costs -- Procedure -- Federal funding
There is hereby created in the state treasury a "grade crossing protective fund" to carry out the provisions of RCW 81.53.261, 81.53.271, 81.53.281, 81.53.291, and ...

81.53.291 Crossing signals, warning devices -- Operational scope -- Election by first-class cities -- Procedure
RCW 81.53.261 through 81.53.291 shall be operative within the limits of all cities, towns and counties, except cities of the first class. Cities of the ...

81.53.295 Crossing signals, warning devices, etc. -- Federal funds used to pay installation costs -- Grade crossing protective fund -- State and local authorities to pay remaining installation costs -- Railroad to pay maintenance costs
Whenever federal-aid highway funds are available and are used to pay a portion of the cost of installing a grade crossing protective device, and related ...

81.53.400 Traffic control devices during construction, repair, etc. of crossing or overpass -- Required
Whenever any railroad company engages in the construction, maintenance, or repair of a crossing or overpass, the company shall install and maintain traffic control devices ...

81.53.410 Traffic control devices during construction, repair, etc. of crossing or overpass -- Standards and conditions
All traffic control devices used under RCW 81.53.400 shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) Any traffic control devices shall be used at a ...

81.53.420 Traffic control devices during construction, repair, etc. of crossing or overpass -- Rules
The utilities and transportation commission shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of RCW 81.53.400 and 81.53.410 pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW. The commission shall ...

81.53.900 Effective date -- 1975 1st ex.s. c 189
This 1975 amendatory act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its ...