Railroads may cross any public highways in the line of the railroad, but may not pass along public highways without the written consent of the officials charged by statute with the duty of maintenance of these ways; but when a railroad is hereafter laid out across a public way, it shall be constructed so as to pass either over or under the way unless the Department of Transportation, after notice and hearing, authorizes a crossing at grade. Before entering on the construction of any railroad along or across public ways, the manner and conditions of crossings shall be determined as provided by section 7202.   [PL 1989, c. 398, §8 (NEW).]