Section 480-62-305 - Railroad community notice requirementsThis rule is not intended to cover immediate safety hazards or emergencies.
(1) At least ten days prior to taking any planned action that may have a significant impact on a community, railroad companies must notify, in writing, the governing authority of the community and the commission of the planned action. Note: | Maintenance practices, such as replacing broken planks if the opportunity to do so is unexpectedly presented, are not considered to be planned actions and would likely prevent safety hazards. In such situations, advance notice would not be required. |
(2) Examples of actions that may have significant impact on a community include disrupting the use of a crossing for track inspection, reconstruction, maintenance, or blocking a crossing.(3) The notice must contain a heading with the words "important notice" in prominent type and contain, at a minimum, the following:(a) Date the notice is issued;(b) A clear explanation of the type of planned event;(c) Specific location of the event;(d) An estimation of the start and completion date of the event;(e) Any additional information that will assist the community to plan for the event;(f) Railroad company contact person and phone number; and(g) A statement substantially as follows: "If you have questions about the regulatory process, you may contact the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission at: WUTC, 621 Woodland Square Loop S.E., Lacey, WA 98503 or P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250; 360-664-1262. Also, you may contact the Federal Railroad Administration at 1-800-724-5998 (toll-free)."(4) Whenever a highway authority plans to perform maintenance that will affect a crossing, it must notify the railroad company and local jurisdiction at least ten days before performing the maintenance.(5) Whenever a railroad company plans to perform maintenance that involves changing the type of material used as a grade crossing surface, it must also notify the commission at least ten days prior to performing the replacement.Wash. Admin. Code § 480-62-305
Amended by WSR 22-15-104, Filed 7/19/2022, effective 8/19/2022Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040, 81.04.160, 81.24.010, 81.28.010, 81.28.290, 81.40.110, 81.44.010, 81.44.020, 81.44.101-81.44.105, and chapters 81.48, 81.53, 81.54, 81.60, and 81.61 RCW. 01-04-026 (Docket No. TR-981102, General Order No. R-477), § 480-62-305, filed 1/30/01, effective 3/2/01.