SENATE, No. 2088

By Ms. Spilka, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2088) of Karen E. Spilka, Susan C. Tucker, Pam Richardson, Brian A. Joyce and other members of the General Court for legislation to assist towns to create quiet zones for at-grade rail crossings. Transportation.
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

AN ACT assisting towns to create quiet zones for at-grade rail crossings

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. The General Laws of Massachusetts are hereby amended by adding the following Chapter:

Chapter 161E § 1 – Subject to appropriations, the Secretary of Transportation shall create a Quiet Zone Assistance Grant.  Any public authority eligible to apply for the creation of a “Quiet Zone” as defined by the United States Secretary of Transportation under authority of 49 USC 20153 may apply for a Quiet Zone Assistance Grant for financial aid for the improvements necessary to create said Quiet Zone.  Eligible improvements must meet the standards specified by 49 USC 20153 and the United States Secretary of Transportation for said Quiet Zones, and may include, but are not limited to, Four-Quadrant Gate Systems, Gates with Medians or Channelization Devices, One-Way Streets with Gates, Photographic enforcement, Programmed Enforcements, and Public Education and Awareness programs.  Any public authority may be eligible for a Quiet Zone Assistance Grant up to fifty percent of the total cost to implement a new Quiet Zone.