90 FR 104 pg. 23417 - Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System
Type: NOTICEVolume: 90Number: 104Page: 23417
Page: 23417Docket number: [Docket Number FRA-2025-0044]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2025-09915 Filed 5-30-25; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Railroad Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA-2025-0044]
Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System
AGENCY:
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
This document provides the public notice that Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) petitioned FRA seeking approval to discontinue or modify a signal system.
DATES:
FRA must receive comments on the petition by July 2, 2025. FRA will consider comments received after that date to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES:
Comments: Comments related to this docket may be submitted by going to https://www.regulations.gov and following the online instructions for submitting comments.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and docket number. All comments received will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov; this includes any personal information. Please see the Privacy Act heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document for Privacy Act information related to any submitted comments or materials.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for accessing the docket.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Scott Johnson, Railroad Safety Specialist, FRA Signal, Train Control, and Crossings Division, telephone: 406-210-3608, email: scott.j.johnson@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Under part 235 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the public notice that by letters dated March 17, 2025, and May 9, 2025, NS petitioned FRA seeking approval to discontinue or modify a signal system. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2025-0044.
Specifically, NS requests to discontinue the traffic control system (TCS) on the AS Line within Asheville Yard, from milepost (MP) 138.18 to MP 141.33 of the Blue Ridge Division. NS additionally proposes to remove 10 circuited hand-throw switches/derails and to convert part of the track to NS Rule 93 operation and part to non-signaled main track within yard limits. In support of its application, NS states that "train operations in this area no longer warrant" the need for TCS, and the modification "will aid in the restoration efforts following storm-related damages," which will "ensur[e] a safe operating environment as repairs are completed" to missing or non-repairable equipment. NS adds that the change will "maintain a conservative, risk averse operating environment."
A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at www.regulations.gov.
Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested party desires an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, they should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for their request.
Communications received by July 2, 2025 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered if practicable.
Privacy Act
Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications and comments received into any of FRA's dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its processes. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov .
Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2025-09915 Filed 5-30-25; 8:45 am]
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