Chapter 161C

Section 1. It is hereby declared that rail transportation offers economic and environmental advantages with respect to land use air and noise pollution, energy efficiency, safety, and costs per ton mile of movement to the extent that the preservation, development and maintenance …

Section 2. Whenever used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words or terms shall have the following meanings:— ''Executive office'', the office of planning and programming established under chapter six C. ''Rail rights-of-way'', lands other than…

Section 3. The executive office shall take such steps as may be necessary to provide for the development, promotion, preservation, and improvement of an adequate, safe, efficient and convenient rail system for the movement of passengers and freight in the commonwealth. In carryin…

Section 4. The executive office or the department of highways acting pursuant to paragraph (f) of section six is hereby authorized and directed to expend such funds as may be appropriated or otherwise made available for the acquisition, construction, preservation, rehabilitation,…

Section 5. The executive office or the department of highways acting pursuant to paragraph (f) of section six of this chapter may enter into contracts or agreements to provide financial assistance, from such funds as may be provided for the purpose, for all or part of the costs o…

Section 6. The secretary, in addition to any other powers and duties conferred or imposed upon him by this chapter or any other general or special law, shall have the following powers and duties: (a) To serve as the principal source of rail transportation planning for the commonw…

Section 7. (a) To the extent not inconsistent with federal law, no railroad company which conducts or has conducted operations within the commonwealth shall sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of railroad rights-of-way or related facilities without first offering such rights-of-w…

Section 8. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the secretary of transportation may offer and convey surplus rail and other track material, surplus rail-related equipment, such as signals, and surplus railroad bridge materials to freight railroads operating…