{"data":{"id":"us-wa/rcw-81.53.240","jurisdiction":"us-wa","citation":"RCW 81.53.240","heading":"Scope of chapter.","body":"(1) Except to the extent necessary to permit participation by first-class cities in the grade crossing protective fund, when an election to participate is made as provided in RCW 81.53.261 through 81.53.291, or to the extent a first-class city requests to participate in the commission's crossing safety inspection program within the city, this chapter is not operative within the limits of first-class cities, and does not apply to street railway lines operating on or across any street, alley, or other public place within the limits of any city, except that a streetcar line outside of cities of the first class shall not cross a railroad at grade without express authority from the commission. The commission may not change the location of a state highway without the approval of the secretary of transportation, or the location of any crossing thereon adopted or approved by the department of transportation, or grant a railroad authority to cross a state highway at grade without the consent of the secretary of transportation.\n(2) Within thirty days of July 1, 2015, first-class cities must provide to the commission a list of all existing public crossings within the limits of a first-class city, including over and under-crossings, including the United States department of transportation number for the crossing. Within thirty days of modifying, closing, or opening a grade crossing within the limits of a first-class city, the city must notify the commission in writing of the action taken, identifying the crossing by United States department of transportation number.","path":["Title 81","Chapter 81.53"],"source_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=81.53.240","current_through":"July 15, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T04:25:04Z","sha256":"12c6e3a9129dfb8af9693051f25a200b2f23d10aae61f6c0e3843dca22b0b3b8","source_id":"us-wa","stale":false,"prev":"us-wa/rcw-81.53.230","next":"us-wa/rcw-81.53.250"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}