Any railroad corporation or the municipal officers of a city or town in which a public way crosses or is crossed by a railroad, whether at grade or otherwise, may file a petition in writing with the Department of Transportation alleging that the crossing is no longer required by the public and praying that it may be closed or discontinued. The department shall, on receipt of a petition, appoint a time for hearing on the petition, after notice of not less than 10 days to the petitioners, the railroad corporation owning or operating the railroad and the city or town in which the crossing is located. After the notice and hearing, if the department finds that the crossing is no longer required by the public, it may order that the crossing be closed or discontinued. The department may close or discontinue railroad crossings, after notice of not less than 10 days to the railroad and municipality, or after hearing if requested within the 10 days either by the railroad or the municipality.   [PL 1989, c. 398, §8 (NEW).]