
Louisiana Railroad State Laws and Regulations
Crossing Treatment Procedures
State Laws and Regulations
- 386. Repairs to railway grade crossings and crossing warning devices; responsibility on railroads
- Whenever a highway crosses a railroad track at grade, and the grade crossing needs repair and should, in the judgment of the chief engineer or his duly authorized representative, be repaired, and if, after fifteen days’ notice in writing, the railroad company whose tracks are crossed thereby fails to repair it, the department may make the repairs and maintain the crossing and charge the expenses thereof to the railroad company.
- Whenever a warning device located at a railroad crossing needs repair or is not being maintained in compliance with federal guidelines and should, in the judgment of the chief engineer or his duly authorized representative, be repaired or receive maintenance, written notice of the necessity of such repair or maintenance shall be given to the railroad company owning the track at which the device is located. If the railroad does not proceed with the repair or maintenance within thirty days after receipt of the notice, the department may initiate the performance of the repair or maintenance of the warning device and charge the expenses thereof to the railroad company.
La. Stat. Ann. § 48:386
Blocked Crossings
State Laws, Regulations, and Penalties
- 391. Obstruction of railroad grade crossings
- (1) It shall be unlawful for any train, railroad car or equipment, or engine to obstruct vehicular traffic at a public highway railroad grade crossing for a period in excess of twenty consecutive minutes, except when such train, railroad car or equipment, or engine is moving or when such movement is prevented by any of the following:
(a) A power brake failure or other mechanical failure.
(b) Enforcement of the Hours of Service Act.
(c) Derailment or other accident.
(d) A directive of the Federal Railway Administration.
(e) Circumstances over which the railroad company or carrier has no reasonable control, such as a natural disaster or acts of third parties.
(2) No employee performing his duties under the operating rules or orders of the railroad company or carrier or its supervisory personnel shall be prosecuted for any violation of this Section.
(3) Any rail carrier violating the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall be fined as follows:

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