Section 824.212 - Specifications for construction and maintenance of crossings; application of specifications; priorities; compliance(1) The Department of Transportation shall adopt regulations prescribing specifications for the construction and maintenance of railroad-highway crossings, both at grade level and at separated grades. The specifications shall be developed in consultation with representatives of cities and counties and shall conform to nationally recognized and commonly used standards to ensure that the crossings are constructed and maintained in a manner that conforms to the public safety, necessity, convenience and general welfare, including but not limited to the projected transportation needs.(2) Specifications for separate crossings adopted under subsection (1) of this section do not apply to crossings in existence on the effective date of the regulation prescribing the specifications. However, within a reasonable period after the effective date, crossings shall be altered or reconstructed to comply with the regulations in effect at the time of the alteration or reconstruction.(3) Priorities for such alterations or reconstruction shall be established by the Department of Transportation, based upon the expressed need of the public authority in interest, and upon such other factors as danger or inconvenience to motorists, age of the structure, frequency of reported accidents and degree of noncompliance with regulations.(4) If the public authority in interest or the railroad company fails to so alter or reconstruct a crossing, the department, after following the procedures specified in ORS chapter 183 for contested cases, may order the alteration or reconstruction and proceed in accordance with ORS 824.216. Formerly 763.055; 1997 c.249 §251; 1997 c.275 §17