Section 6.44. Maintenance standards for new rail crossings.

  A snowmobile rail crossing permitted under this subchapter shall be maintained in the following manner:

(1)  A snowmobile organization may not perform any maintenance work on the portion of the snowmobile rail crossing for which the rail authority has responsibility with the exception of the snow removal work required under s. NR 6.44 (5) . The maintenance of that portion of the snowmobile rail crossing for which the rail authority has responsibility shall be performed by the rail authority.

(2)  The snowmobile organization shall maintain adequate drainage along the snowmobile trail approaching the rail crossing and along the portion of the snowmobile rail crossing for which the snowmobile organization has responsibility, both in the snowmobile and non-snowmobile season, to prevent the pooling of water or saturation of the track subgrade.

(3)  The snowmobile organization shall maintain the portion of the snowmobile rail crossing for which it has responsibility that becomes worn or damaged as a result of use and shall repair the wear or damage as soon as practical using the materials and following the installation requirements contained in the permit and this subchapter.

(4)  The snowmobile organization shall be responsible for maintaining in a legible condition all signs at the crossing including crossbucks, crossing placards and snowmobile STOP signs, and all signs prior to the crossing including advance caution railroad crossing signs.

(5)  During the winter season, no snow may be compacted by snowmobile trail grooming machinery on the portion of the snowmobile rail crossing for which the rail authority has responsibility. Any snow deposited on this portion of the rail crossing by the grooming machinery shall be removed manually by the operator of the trail grooming machinery after the machinery is clear of this area of the crossing

(6)  Gates or barriers shall be constructed, erected and maintained by the snowmobile organization to prevent vehicular use of the crossing during non-snow seasons and shall be maintained in working order. Barrier markers specified under s. NR 50.09 (4) (c) 3. b. shall be affixed to the gates or barrier and maintained in a legible manner.

History: Cr. Register, May, 1995, No. 473 , eff. 6-1-95; CR 02-044 : r. and recr. Register November 2002 No. 563 , eff. 12-1-02.