Nebraska Administrative Code
Topic - TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF
Title 415 - NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - LOCAL ASSISTANCE DIVISION
Chapter 6 - Highway-Rail Crossings - Construction, Repair and Maintenance
Section 415-6-004 - CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS FOR NEW AND RECONSTRUCTED PRIVATE HIGHWAY- RAIL CROSSINGS

Universal Citation: 415 NE Admin Rules and Regs ch 6 § 004

Current through September 17, 2024

004.01 DIAGNOSTIC TEAM REVIEW

A Diagnostic Team Review may be completed if requested by the parties involved to determine the final design for the approach roadway, grade crossing and type of traffic control devices including active warning devices.

004.01A A Diagnostic Team Review is mandatory for functional use or classification changes to private crossings such as the following:

004.01A1 Changing a residential private crossing to a commercial private crossing.

004.01A2 Changing a commercial private crossing to a residential private crossing.

004.01A3 Changing a farm/ranch private crossing to commercial private crossing.

004.01A4 Changing a farm/ranch private crossing to a residential private crossing.

004.01A5 Changing a private crossing to a public crossing.

004.01B The determination of the Diagnostic Team Review shall be final.

004.02 APPROACH ROADWAY/CROSSING SURFACING

The approach roadway and crossing surfacing on railroad property shall be constructed to the following standards.

004.02A CROSSING SURFACING - WIDTH. The crossing surfacing, from end of tie to end of tie, shall extend at least two feet beyond the outside edge of the roadway surfacing, but in no case shall a crossing used solely for access to farm, ranch or vacant land or to a single family residence be less than 12 feet in width. All other private crossings shall be no less than 16 feet in width, however, additional width may be required after consideration of all relevant circumstances, including but not limited to:

004.02A1 Speed and number of trains per day.

004.02A2 Type and number of tracks.

004.02A3 Approach angle of roadway and tracks.

004.02A4 Type, number and cargo of vehicles using the crossing.

004.02A5 Pedestrian traffic.

004.02A6 Geometrics of the roadway.

004.02A7 Development within the surrounding area.

004.02B CROSSING SURFACING - HEIGHT. The elevation of the surfacing of the roadway and the top of the railroad tracks shall be within 1/2 inch of each other.

004.02C CROSSING SURFACING - BETWEEN RAILS. Private highway-rail grade crossings must be solidly constructed with no openings except as necessary for the railroad track. The crossing surfacing shall be made of durable material and the elevation of the surfacing shall be within 1/2 inch of the top of the rail. Durable shall mean timber, asphalt, concrete or equivalent. Private crossings used solely for access to farm, ranch or vacant land may be constructed of a compactable material.

004.02D ROADWAY VERTICAL ALIGNMENT. All crossings shall be at the same plane as the top of the rails for a distance of 2 feet outside the rails, measured between the top of the railroad track and the plane of the approach roadway 2 feet outside the near rail.

004.02D1 The approach roadway for private highway/rail crossings providing access to farm, ranch or vacant land shall be constructed in accordance with the Private Crossing Agreement between the railroad and the private owner to provide clearance for the typical vehicle that will use the crossing.

004.02D2 The approach roadway for private rail/highway grade crossings that are public in character providing access for business, commercial or industrial use shall be constructed to meet the clearance requirements for the typical vehicle using the crossing. Crossings with an exposure of 3,000 or above and 100 vehicles per day shall meet the requirements of Section 002.01E of this chapter.

004.02E TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES. All private crossings must have, at a minimum, a stop sign and a sign that identifies the crossing as a private crossing, on both roadway approaches, with a warning that informs the motorist that the use of the crossing without permission is trespassing. Message, placement and dimension of the signs shall be clearly visible and be in substantial conformity with the following illustration:

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004.02F ACTIVE WARNING DEVICES. Active warning devices shall be considered the minimum required devices necessary for any new private crossing providing access to:

(1) Three or more residences,

(2) Commercial, retail or industrial businesses,

(3) Recreational roadways open to the public, or

(4) Private roadways that are public in nature.

004.02F1 Active warning devices shall be considered the minimum required devices for any reconstructed crossing providing access to three or more residences, commercial, retail or industrial businesses, recreational roadways open to the public or private roadways that are public in nature, when the crossing has an exposure factor of 3,000, is used by a minimum of 100 vehicles per day, and when any one of the following conditions is present:

(1) Clearing sight distance not meeting the requirements of Section 003.01G,

(2) Multiple tracks,

(3) Approach angle of roadway and tracks varying from 90 degrees by 30 degrees or more.

004.02G HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT. Private roadway-rail grade crossings shall be constructed so that the roadway intersects the tracks at a right angle (90 degrees) unless the Department, in its sole discretion, authorizes a variance.

004.02H Reconstructed crossings that only involve the addition of a track shall be exempted from the rules in Section 004.02F1 and 004.02G.

004.02I Crossings providing access solely to vacant land or land used for farm or ranch purposes shall be exempted from the rules in Section 004.02F1.

004.03 A private field or single-family residential crossing shall not be used for access for business, commercial or industrial use or for providing access to more than two residences without being reconstructed to meet the new private crossing requirements set out in Section 004.02.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Nebraska may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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