Session Laws

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Notwithstanding chapter 160 of the General Laws or any other general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, a railroad corporation, including the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, shall not permit a locomotive engine passing on its railroad in the town of Newbury to sound a whistle at any grade crossing in said town which is otherwise protected by the following safety features: (i) flashing lights in each direction which are automatically activated by the approaching train; (ii) two gates, one on each side of the crossing, both of which are automatically lowered by the approaching train and both of which extend across approximately one-half the width of the lanes of traffic so that the entire width of the lanes of traffic is blocked when the gates are lowered; (iii) a bell that is automatically activated by the approaching train; (iv) overhead street lights; (v) signs posted before the grade crossing in each direction warning pedestrians and motorists of the crossing ahead; (vi) posted speed limits for traffic which shall not be more than 25 miles per hour; and (vii) not more than two lanes of vehicular traffic in each direction at the grade crossing. Notwithstanding this act, a train shall sound its whistle in the event of an emergency.