When requested in writing by three or more freeholders or registered voters or residents of a city or village to order a gate or electric signal to be erected, or a flagger to be stationed at any railroad crossing at grade within such city or village, or when so requested by three or more freeholders or registered voters or residents of a town to order an electric signal to be erected at any railroad crossing at grade within that town, or, acting on its own initiative, the Transportation Board shall visit that place, first giving the parties making the request, the Secretary of Transportation, and the railroad corporation notice thereof. If the public safety requires, the Board shall order the corporation operating the railroad to do any act at that place needful for the protection of the public, and may make any other order or further order it deems necessary in the premises, including an order, after hearing and due notice to the parties in interest, directing the State, the municipality, and the railroad to pay all or part of the costs as the Board finds just and equitable. The Board shall not make further order without first visiting the place and giving the railroad corporation, the Secretary of Transportation, and the parties making request an opportunity to be heard thereon. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), eff. March 1, 1961; 1961, No. 267, § 3, eff. Aug. 1, 1961; 1969, No. 76, § 8; 1971, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. April 7, 1972; 1993, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § 54.)