Section 182.018. Wires over railroads.

 

(1)  All wires strung over any railroad prior to August 1, 1949, shall be tied to insulators fastened to double cross-arms attached to a pole at each side of the crossing. The poles if of wood shall not be less than 6 inches in diameter at the top (if of other materials at least the equivalent strength thereof), set not less than 5 feet in the ground, securely guyed, and, unless the railroad right-of-way is over 100 feet in width, shall be set not more than 100 feet apart. The cross-arms shall be attached to the poles by machine bolts, and braced by at least one iron brace from each cross-arm to the pole. All wires shall be maintained not less than 25 feet above the rails.

(2)  Any person ordered by the public service commission to change its wires so as to conform to this section failing to comply with such order within 10 days from the service thereof shall forfeit $25, and a like forfeiture for every additional 10 days of noncompliance with the order, unless a greater length of time to make such change shall be granted.

(3)  All wires strung over any railroad on or after August 1, 1949, shall be strung in such a way as to meet requirements of the provisions of the state electrical code promulgated by the public service commission. Any person stringing wires in violation of the code shall be subject to a forfeiture of not more than $100 nor less than $25. Each 10-day period, after the first day, that such violation occurs shall be a separate violation and shall subject the violator to an additional forfeiture of not less than $25 nor more than $100 for each such violation.

(4)  This section applies only to the extent that it is not contrary to or inconsistent with federal law.

1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (10) (b) ; 1985 a. 187 ; 2005 a. 179 ; 2007 a. 63 .