No passenger train may be run over any new railroad, or over any railroad in process of construction, until the commissioner has made an inspection of such railroad and granted a certificate of its safety for public travel. A copy of this certificate, attested by the commissioner, shall be furnished to the corporation operating the railroad. Any person or corporation violating this section forfeits to the State $100 for each offense, to be recovered in a civil action or by complaint and indictment, and the Attorney General shall institute proceedings to recover the same. [1989, c. 398, §9 (NEW).]