Federal Laws Applicable to Rail-Highway Projects

  • Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 23 (Highways), Chapter 1 (FHWA, DOT), Subchapter G (Engineering and Traffic Operations), Part 646 (Railroads).
     23 CFR Part 646 includes various regulations related to contractors providing insurance when working on railroad rights of way and executing agreements between states and railroad companies.
  • Code of Federal Regulations, Title 23 (Highways), Chapter 1 (FHWA, DOT), Subchapter B (Payment Procedures), Part 140 (Reimbursement), Subpart I (Reimbursement for Railroad Work).
     23 CFR Part 140 provides policies and procedures for reimbursement to the states for railroad company work on projects.
  • Code of Federal Regulations, Title 23 (Highways), Chapter 1 (FHWA, DOT), Subchapter J (Highway Safety), Part 924 (Highway Safety Improvement Program).
     23 CFR Part 924 provides regulations for the HSIP program, including at-grade crossings.
  • Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49 (Transportation), Subtitle B (Other Regulations Relating to Transportation), Chapter 2 (FHWA, DOT), Part 234 (Grade Crossing Safety, Including Signal Systems, State Action Plans, and Emergency Notification Systems).
     49 CFR Part 234 provides regulations for grade crossing safety, including maintenance and testing requirements by railroad companies.
  • United States Code (USC), Title 23 (Highways), Chapter 1 (Federal-Aid Highways), Section 130 (Railway-highway crossings).
     23 USC 130 establishes provisions for the elimination of hazards at at-grade crossings and provisions for funding. This is the funding source for FSP projects.
  • United States Code, Title 49 (Transportation), Subtitle 5 (Rail Programs), Part B (Assistance), Chapter 225 (Federal Grants to States for Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety).
     49 USC Chapter 225 establishes provisions for federal grants on grade crossing programs including safety improvements, state action plans and Operation Lifesaver.