Railroad Company Responsibilities

Railroad companies are generally responsible for maintenance of:
  • Crossing surface from edge of tie to edge of tie on
    state
     at-grade crossings (panels, rail, ties, ballast and subballast).
  • Active warning systems (gates, mast flashers and cantilevers) including energy charges.
  • Crossbuck, Number of Tracks, Stop, Yield and ENS signs.
  • Vegetation and sight obstructions within 250 feet of at-grade crossing on railroad right of way.
  • Railroad circuitry, including preemption circuitry and operation from railroad cabin.
  • Superstructure of underpasses.
Although the railroad companies maintain these items, TxDOT provides assistance for railroad crossing surface replacement on state routes via the replanking program. See Chapter 5 for details.
District railroad coordinators should routinely inspect crossing surfaces to identify candidates for the replanking program.
Also
, any operational or maintenance issues regarding active warning systems, crossbuck signs or sight distance obstructions should be coordinated with
RRD
 and the railroad company. Typical issues may include:
  • Broken gates.
  • Malfunctioning gates or flashing lights.
  • Gates, cantilevers, crossbuck signs or mast flashers hit by vehicular traffic.
  • Non-reflective signs (must be inspected at night).
  • Missing signs.
  • Vegetation causing sight distance issues.
  • Scrape marks on gauge crossing surface panels or panels that rock or have shifted.
  • Damaged crossing surface panels.
  • Clogged or blocked drainage pipes at a crossing.