Section 2: Railroad Force Account Work
Anchor: #i999379Program Overview
Railroad force account work is work performed by railroad forces or the railroad’s contractor. Generally, railroad force account work is funded and work is performed in conjunction with an approved highway construction project. This work may involve:
- planking (road crossing surfaces)
- track adjustments
- installation of warning devices
- relocation of existing warning devices
- installation or extension of drainage structures under tracks
- wire line adjustments
- flagging for train operations
- other related work.
Financing
All railroad force account work necessary to accomplish a highway construction project let to contract by the state must be funded and paid under that project. Construction funds should not be mixed with railroad safety or maintenance dedicated program funds.
NOTE: The railroad force account work is funded through the construction budget activity, and any state force account work is funded through budgeted district Activity 202.
Anchor: #i999444Implementation
Implementation of railroad force account work normally proceeds as follows:
- The district submits a request for the crossing work to the Traffic Operations Division (TRF) along with an 11 x 17 inch plan layout, marked “Exhibit A.” (See Section 3 of this chapter.)
- TRF prepares an agreement and submits it to the railroad.
- After the agreement is executed and an estimate for railroad force account work is approved by TRF, railroad forces perform the work upon receipt of a work order from the district office
Reimbursement
The state normally reimburses the railroad for force account work, except where an existing highway is crossed by a new railroad. Reimbursable force account work is limited to the work detailed in the state-railroad agreement and attached exhibits. Cost related to the improvement or maintenance of railroad property cannot be reimbursed. The railroad bears the expense and responsibility of maintaining crossing warning signal systems, crossbuck signs, and crossing surfaces, because these appurtenances are located on railroad right-of-way.