Section 1500.10  Scope

a)         This Part prescribes minimum track centers, and minimum horizontal and vertical clearances applicable to tracks, structures, fixtures, and other appurtenances of "railroads."  The term "railroad' means track and associated structures, including bridges, tunnels, switches, spurs, terminals and other facilities, and equipment, including engines, freight cars, passenger cars, cabooses, and other equipment, used in the transportation of property or passengers by rail [625 ILCS 5/18c-1104(31)].

b)         This Part applies to all new construction and to the reconstruction of "railroads" carried on after the date on which this Part becomes effective.

c)         Nothing herein contained prohibits any "railroad" from constructing its tracks, bridges, buildings and other structures with clearances greater than required by this Part.  Where conditions apparently make it impracticable to comply with this Part, a formal petition for permission to maintain reduced clearances shall be made to the Illinois Commerce Commission ("Commission").

d)         Unless otherwise stated all horizontal distances are measured at right angles to the vertical plane passing through the centerline of the track.

e)         Railroad-Highway Bridge Clearance refers to the vertical clearance between the top of rail of a track and the lowest point of the structural members that carry a highway bridge over a railroad track.  For new and reconstructed highway bridges spanning railroad tracks, clearance requirements outlined in the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association Manual for Railway Engineering (2004 Edition) ("AREMA Manual") shall be followed when determining vertical clearance.

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 20360, effective December 15, 2005)