Public Hearing for Rulemaking on Railroad Safety (DPU 26-54)

The Department of Public Utilities is conducting a hybrid public hearing to receive public comments on proposed regulations to establish safety standards and formalized processes for Grade Crossings and overpass and underpass height waivers. The goal of this proceeding is to increase transparency and improved compliance. For more information, please see the Notice below.  

The first public hearing will take place on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. virtually over Zoom and in-person at One South Station, Third Floor, Large Hearing Room, Boston, MA 02110. For audio-only access to the hearing, attendees can dial-in at 646-558-8656 (not toll free) and then enter Meeting ID# 826 8328 8456. If you plan on providing comments, please send an email by Monday, September 21, 2026 to kate.e.timberlake@mass.gov. with your name, email, and mailing address. This hearing will be conducted in English. To request interpretation and/or translation in an additional language, please send an email to dpu.ej@mass.gov by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026. 

The second public hearing will take place on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Springfield State Office Building, 3rd Floor Courtroom, 436 Dwight Street, Springfield, MA 01103.  

Any person interested in commenting on this matter may submit written comments no later than the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on Monday, September 21, 2026. Written comments may be sent by email to dpu.efiling@mass.gov and kate.e.timberlake@mass.gov. Please note that in the interest of transparency any comments will be posted to our website as received and without redacting personal information, such as addresses, telephone numbers, or email addresses.  As such, consider the extent of information you wish to share when submitting comments.  The Department strongly encourages public comments to be submitted by email.  If, however, a member of the public is unable to send written comments by email, a paper copy may be sent to Peter A. Ray, Secretary, Department of Public Utilities, One South Station, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110.