Whenever it shall appear, after notice and hearing held by the department of transportation upon its own motion or upon petition of any interested party, that an existing grade crossing is being used as a public highway and the adjacent approach or approaches thereto are maintained for use in a manner similar to a public highway, the department of transportation may require the same to be laid out, constructed and protected, and the costs thereof apportioned in accordance with the provisions of this chapter provided that the railroad shall not be charged with any of the said costs.
RSA 246:6-a
1963, 54:1. 1985, 402:6, I(e)(5).