Grade Crossing Construction and Maintenance

PURPOSE: This rule implements the provisions of section 389.610, RSMo, which authorizes the division to make reasonable rules pertaining to the construction and maintenance of all public grade crossings. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The secretary of state has determined that publication of the entire text of the material that is incorporated by reference as a portion of this rule would be unduly cumbersome or expensive. This material as incorporated by reference in this rule shall be maintained by the agency at its headquarters and shall be made available to the public for inspection and copying at no more than the actual cost of reproduction. This note applies only to the reference material. The entire text of the rule is printed here. (1) Every crossing shall be constructed of materials that will provide a ride quality compatible with that of adjacent roadway surfaces (except that crossings of unconsolidated or asphalt material shall have installed headers of equal height to the top of rails installed on both sides of both rails). (A) The crossing on paved roads shall be the same width as the approaching roadway including drivable shoulders plus two feet (2') on each side. On gravel roads, the crossing shall be the same width as the traveled way, which is the width of the crossing as it existed on April 27, 1989 but not less than sixteen feet (16'). (B) If practicable, the roadway alignment should intersect the railroad track at or nearly at right angles. The roadway surface shall be in the same plane as the top of rails for a distance of two feet (2') outside of rails for either multiple or single track crossings. The top of the rail plane shall be connected with the grade line of the roadway each way by vertical curves of the length required to provide riding conditions and sight distances normally applied to the roadway. It is desirable that the roadway surface be not more than three inches (3") higher nor six inches (6") lower than the top of the nearest rail at a point thirty feet (30') from the rail, measured at a right angle, unless track superelevation dictates otherwise. Where crossings involve two (2) or more tracks, the top of rails for all tracks shall be brought to the same plane where practicable. (C) Width of roadway at a highway-railway grade crossing should correspond to that of the adjoining highway and have the same number and width of traffic lanes as the adjoining highway without extra lanes and with center turn lanes at the crossing delineated. At all paved approaches to the highway-railway grade crossing, the highway traffic lanes in the vicinity of the crossing should be distinctly marked in accordance with the recommendations of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (2009 Edition including Revisions 1 and 2), which is incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule as published by the Federal Highway Administration, United States Department of Transportation, 400 7th Street SW, Room 3408, Washington, DC 20590, website: https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009r1r2/ mutcd2009r1r2edition.pdf. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions of this manual. These markings are the responsibility of the public authorities. (D) Part 8 of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association’s Guidelines for the Design, Construction or Reconstruction of Highway-Railway At-Grade Crossings (2013 edition), is incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule as published by the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association, 4501 Forbes Blvd. Suite 130, Lanham-Seabrook, MD 20706. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions of these guidelines. These guidelines are recommended practices for the construction and reconstruction of highway-railway grade crossings, if practicable. (2) Unless otherwise ordered by the division or by agreement, the railroad corporation shall maintain the road surface over the length of ties and between tracks where adjacent track centers are less than fifteen feet (15'). (A) Unless otherwise ordered by the division, when a railroad corporation makes a track raise within a grade crossing, the runoff along the roadway shall be maintained at not more than two inches (2") in the first ten feet (10') outside the end of ties, not more than six inches (6") in the next ten feet (10') and the remaining run-off shall be brought to the same elevation of the existing grade within an additional ten feet (10') along the roadway. (B) When a highway authority raises the road surface along an approach to a crossing, the run-off along the roadway shall be not more than two inches (2") in the first ten feet (10') outside the end of ties with the remainder in the next ten feet (10'). (C) Unless otherwise ordered by the division or by agreement, the railroad shall maintain a crosswalk of equal width as the approaching sidewalk over the length of ties and between tracks where adjacent track centers are less than fifteen feet (15') apart. The railroad shall use a durable contrasting material between the ends of ties when the approaching sidewalk is constructed of a hard surface material. Any durable material compatible with the material used on the sidewalk may be used on the crosswalk between the adjacent tracks. AUTHORITY: section 622.027, RSMo 2016.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 265-8.130. Original rule filed Jan. 5, 1989, effective April 27, 1989. Amended: Filed May 2, 1991, effective Dec. 9, 1991. Moved and amended: Filed March 9, 2018, effective Oct. 30, 2018. Amended: Filed Sept. 8, 2023, effective April 30, 2024. *Original authority: 622.027, RSMo 1985, amended 1993, 1995.