State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Rhode-island > Title-39 > Chapter-39-7 > 39-7-1SECTION 39-7-1
§ 39-7-1 Minimum clearance on bridgeserected over tracks. – No bridges, viaducts, or other obstructions shall be constructed, insofar aspracticable, over tracks in a railroad yard over which switching movements willbe made at not less than twenty-three feet (23') in the clear, and over anyother railroad tracks at not less than twenty-two feet, six inches (22'6"),measuring from the bottom of the lowest timber to the top of the rail on thetracks. An exemption may be granted from any and all requirements of thissection; provided, however, that any exemption must be limited to the specificbridge, viaduct, or other obstructions upon agreement between the department oftransportation, public utilities administrator, railroad company, and thedesignated labor representative representing the railroad employees whoseduties are to be atop of cars while in motion; provided, further, the agreementshall fix and prescribe reasonable regulations governing the location exempted;and provided, further, that an agreement between the aforesaid parties must beconsummated within fifteen (15) days from the date of the request for anexemption from any and all requirements of this section. In case of failure toconsummate an agreement, the public utilities administrator shall issue anorder on the request for an exemption. The public utilities administratorshall, when issuing an order, take into consideration that his or her paramountresponsibility in his or her decision to issue the exemption must be the safetyof the railroad employees whose duties are to be atop of cars while in motion.
