Section 4907.475. Closing rural crossings

(A) If the public utilities commission finds that there is not a demonstrable need for the crossing to exist according to the factors listed in divisions (A)(1) to (9) of section 4907.474 of the Revised Code and that the crossing could be closed to vehicular traffic, or to pedestrian traffic, or to both, and the travel over the crossing diverted to other crossings, and if the crossing is on a road or highway other than a state highway and is outside the limits of a municipal corporation, the commission shall hold a public hearing on the issue of the possible closing of the crossing to vehicular traffic, or to pedestrian traffic, or both, and invite comments on the closing and the effects the closing would have on the traffic and pedestrian travel patterns within the county. The commission also shall hold such a hearing upon application of the county within which a crossing is located, or upon application of the railroad having jurisdiction over a crossing, if the county or railroad believes that there is not a demonstrable need for the crossing to exist and that the crossing should be closed to the public. Any such application filed by a county or railroad shall be on a form provided by the commission. Notice of the hearing shall be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the crossing at issue is located. The hearing shall be held at a location within the boundaries of the county. If, after the hearing, it is the opinion of the commission that there is not a demonstrable need for the crossing to exist according to the factors listed in divisions (A)(1) to (9) of section 4907.474 of the Revised Code and that the crossing should be closed, the commission shall issue an order to the board of county commissioners of the county in which such crossing is located directing it to discontinue the crossing and to close it to vehicular traffic, or to pedestrian traffic, or to both, by resolution as provided by sections 5553.01 to 5553.07 of the Revised Code. The board, within thirty days after receipt of the order from the commission, shall discontinue the crossing and close it to vehicular traffic, or to pedestrian traffic, or both, as specified in the order of the commission.

(B) The board or railroad may file an application with the commission for a rehearing of the commission's order issued under division (A) of this section. Any application for a rehearing of an order issued by the commission under this section shall be filed in accordance with and meet the requirements contained in section 4903.10 of the Revised Code, and any rehearing held by the commission shall be conducted in accordance with that section. The county or railroad may appeal the order of the commission, as affirmed or modified by the commission after the rehearing, to the supreme court.

(C) The commission shall assess the costs, as determined by the commission, of the closure of a crossing under this section against the railroad having jurisdiction over the crossing. If a county or railroad applies for closure of a crossing under division (A) of this section, the commission may assess the costs of any investigation conducted under this section to make the determination required by division (A) of section 4907.474 of the Revised Code against the county or railroad that applies for the closure.

Effective Date: 07-01-1993