Chapter 3: Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Surfaces (Construction and Reconstruction)

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Section 1: Overview

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Introduction

When the limits of a highway construction project involve the construction or reconstruction of a highway-rail grade crossing, TxDOT must execute an agreement with the operating railroad company prior to entering or performing any work on the railroad right-of-way. The agreement gives TxDOT license and permission to cross railroad right-of-way and establishes the rights and responsibilities of each party in the construction, maintenance, and operation of the highway-rail intersection. Most railroad rights-of-way are owned by a privately held company and TxDOT must act accordingly.

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Importance of Timing

Timing and coordination between the district, divisions, and railroad company are essential to meet contract letting schedules and avoid delays or conflicts during construction.

On projects requiring a significant amount of railroad force account work, the railroad should be contacted during the advance stages of project development. Contact with the railroad should be coordinated through the district railroad coordinator and the Traffic Operations Division (TRF).

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Project Financing

Highway construction projects involving any of the following are financed under the construction budget for each particular highway construction project:

new highway-rail grade crossings
the extension or re-construction of existing highway-rail grade crossings
any other adjustments to a highway facility located within railroad right-of-way.

Replanking Program. Stand-alone projects for the replanking (resurfacing) of existing highway-rail grade crossing surfaces on the state highway system are considered under the state Grade Crossing Replanking Program (see Chapter 4 of this volume).

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Project Process Overview

Projects involving highway-rail grade crossings normally proceed as follows:

The district furnishes to the Traffic Operations Division (TRF) complete plan layout (known as “Exhibit A”) showing the critical details for the modification of the existing roadway or construction of new roadway. (See Section 2 of this chapter for critical details to be included in Exhibit A.)
NOTE: Exhibit A should be submitted at least nine months before letting.
TRF prepares the agreements necessary for the license to cross railroad right-of-way, which covers construction and maintenance of the work to be performed. TRF also negotiates with the railroad companies involved. The railroad furnishes an estimate to TRF showing all reimbursable work, as indicated in the agreement, to be performed by the railroad. TRF reviews and approves the estimate, attaches it to the executed copies of the agreement, and forwards the railroad’s copy back to them. The district and the Finance Division (FIN) also receive a copy of the executed agreement and estimate. (See Section 3 of this chapter for details on the agreement and negotiations.)
After the agreement is signed, the district issues a work order to the railroad. This may occur after the project is let or when requested by the railroad. The district also conducts pre-construction meetings, inspects the work, and issues completion letters. (See Section 4 of this chapter for more information on these activities.)
NOTE: TRF issues work orders for warning signal work contracted under terms of a signal agreement separate from the agreement for the crossing work. See Chapter 6 of this volume.)

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Sub-base Work

Materials. TxDOT or its contractor may provide materials needed for the sub-base work under the new crossing or the widened portion of the roadway, when widening is needed.

Timing of Work. On new railroad crossings construction projects, sub-base work performed by TxDOT or its contractor is usually completed before the railroad performs its work. On projects involving the reconstruction, widening, or replanking of existing crossings, sub-base work performed by TxDOT or its contractor is done during the railroad’s work and, therefore, must be carefully coordinated to avoid delays.