OAR 741-120-0040: Authority for Closure of Crossings and Removal of Tracks at Crossings

(1) Permanent Closure of Roadway at Crossings. Whenever a crossing is permanently closed to the traveling public, the public authority at the crossing shall notify the Department of the closure and comply with OAR 741-120-0050. After such closure has been accomplished, the roadway cannot be reopened without the authority of the Department pursuant to ORS 824.204 or 824.210. (2) Temporary Closure of Roadway at Crossings by the Railroad. When a railroad desires to close a highway-rail crossing temporarily, it shall provide to the public authority at least four weeks advance notification of its intent to close the crossing. The railroad may provide the road authority less than four weeks advance notice of its intent to temporarily close the grade crossing, if the temporary closure is needed for emergency circumstances. See Section 8A.08 of the MUTCD. (3) Discontinuance of Railroad Operations at Crossings. Whenever railroad use of a crossing is to be discontinued in accordance with federal requirements, the owner of the track at the crossing and the railroad operating over such track shall notify the Department of the discontinuance. (4) Removal of Trackage at Crossings. Whenever one or more tracks are to be removed at a grade crossing, the railroad operating over such trackage shall file an application to alter the crossing under ORS 824.206.