AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE SOUNDING OF CERTAIN WARNING DEVICES IN THE TOWN OF NEWBURY.
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.