Wyo. Code R. 045-0008-2
Effective Date: 01/06/1999 to 05/24/2002
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 045.0008.2.01061999
RAIL-HIGHWAY GRADE SEPARATIONS
Section 1. Authority
This chapter is promulgated in accordance with W.S. 37-10-101 et seq. and W.S. 24-2-105.
Section 2. Applicability
This chapter applies to the construction or modification of railroad grade separation structures over or under public roads and highways in the state.
Section 3. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(a) "Commission" means the Transportation Commission of Wyoming.
(b) "Public road agency" means a governmental agency, the state, a county, city, town, or other political entity having jurisdiction over a highway.
(c) "Public roads and highways" means a road, street, or highway operated, maintained, and legally dedicated according to Wyoming law to public use by the state or any of its political subdivisions.
(d) "WYDOT" means the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
Section 4. Procedure for Establishing or Closing Grade Separation Crossings
(a) Using the appropriate WYDOT form, a railroad, or a public road agency, shall apply to the Commission for authorization to establish or close a railroad-highway crossing with a grade separation structure.
(b) When it receives an application, or when the public interest clearly indicates action should be taken, upon its own motion, the Commission shall establish a diagnostic team including representatives of the railroad, the public road agency, and WYDOT to review the application.
(c) The diagnostic team shall use the appropriate safety, traffic, cost, maintenance, and engineering factors to evaluate the application, and shall base its recommendations on these factors.
(d) The tentative recommendations of the diagnostic team shall be submitted to all public road agencies affected by the proposed crossing change. Public road agencies may provide comments regarding the diagnostic team's tentative recommendations. The diagnostic team may hold a public hearing to solicit public comment and to disseminate the diagnostic team's tentative recommendations to the public. The diagnostic team shall consider these comments in formulating its final recommendations.
(e) The diagnostic team shall submit its final findings and recommendations to the Commission.
(a) The minimal vertical clearance for secondary state highways and low-use roads under railroads shall be 16 feet 6 inches.
(b) The minimal vertical clearance for primary state highways and interstates under railroads shall be 17 feet 6 inches.
(c) The Commission shall prescribe the lateral clearances between piers or underpass walls in accordance with WYDOT, railroad, and federal design standards.
(d) Crash walls shall be installed to protect piers adjacent to railroad tracks in accordance with the American Railway Engineering Association (AREA) Manual for Railway Engineering.
(a) The public road agency shall pay all costs for the upkeep of its grade separation structures. The railroad shall maintain its own structures.
(b) The railroad shall pay for maintaining its tracks and related signal and communication lines, attached to a grade separation structure or paralleling the tracks.
Grade separation structures, whether a road over a railroad or a railroad over a road, shall be designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent debris from falling, or drainage from pooling or flowing, onto the facility below.