In order to promote public safety at intersections of railroad lines and all classes of highways, the department shall apportion the cost of automatic grade crossing protection devices in accordance with this section. In the event that the commission in accordance with the provisions of section 24-09-08 orders that any grade crossing must be protected by automatic grade crossing protection devices, the commission shall in its order apportion the cost thereof between the railroad interested, the political subdivision having jurisdiction of the highway involved, and the state of North Dakota. Such cost must be apportioned to such parties or to any one or more of such parties on the basis of the benefit derived respectively by highway users and the railroad from the installation of such crossing protection device. For the purpose of this section, the cost attributable to the benefit of the highway users must be apportioned to the state of North Dakota or to the political subdivision having jurisdiction of the highway involved or to both of such parties. The cost apportioned to the state of North Dakota must be paid out of the highway fund in the state treasury, provided that not more than one hundred thousand dollars may be expended for this purpose in any one biennium.
N.D.C.C. § 24-09-08.1