[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 5516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2856]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[STB Finance Docket No. 33349]


Wisconsin Central Ltd.--Trackage Rights Exemption--Sault Ste. 
Marie Bridge Company

    Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Company (SSMB) has agreed to grant 
Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WCL) non-exclusive overhead trackage rights 
over SSMB's line of railroad between milepost 118.0 at Larch, MI, and 
milepost 176.9 at Negaunee, MI, a distance of approximately 58.9 miles, 
and non-exclusive overhead and local trackage rights between milepost 
4.1 at Hermansville, MI, and milepost 118.0 at Larch, MI, a distance of 
approximately 25.0 miles. The total distance of trackage rights to be 
acquired is approximately 83.9 miles.
    The transaction is scheduled to be consummated on January 29, 1997, 
or upon SSMB's consummation of the transaction in STB Finance Docket 
No. 33290, Sault St. Marie Bridge Company--Acquisition and Operation 
Exemption--Lines of Union Pacific Railroad Company, whichever is 
later.1
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    \1\ The exemption in STB Finance Docket No. 33290, which covers 
the transaction by which SSMB would acquire the lines over which it 
is granting trackage rights to WCL in the present transaction, 
became effective on January 20, 1997. SSMB agreed to refrain from 
consummating the acquisition until January 24, 1997. A petition to 
stay the effective date, that had been filed on January 6, 1997, was 
denied by decision served on January 24, 1997.
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    The purpose of the trackage rights is to connect WCL's existing 
lines at Hermansville, Larch, and Negaunee, MI. The trackage rights 
between Larch and Negaunee will improve transit times and the quality 
of WCL service for shippers in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. SSMB has 
concurrently filed a Notice of Exemption in STB Finance Docket No. 
33348, Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Company--Trackage Rights Exemption--
Wisconsin Central Ltd. In conjunction with that filing, the proposed 
trackage rights between Hermansville, MI, and Larch, MI, will allow WCL 
and SSMB to jointly utilize their parallel lines to improve the 
flexibility and efficiency of operations in that corridor.
    As a condition to this exemption, any employees affected by the 
trackage rights will be protected by the conditions imposed in Norfolk 
and Western Ry. Co.--Trackage Rights--BN, 354 I.C.C. 605 (1978), as 
modified in Mendocino Coast Ry., Inc.--Lease and Operate, 360 I.C.C. 
653 (1980).
    This notice is filed under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(7). If it contains 
false or misleading information, the exemption is void ab initio. 
Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed 
at any time. The filing of a petition to revoke will not automatically 
stay the transaction.
    An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to STB 
Finance Docket No. 33349, must be filed with the Surface Transportation 
Board, Office of the Secretary, Case Control Branch, 1201 Constitution 
Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20423. In addition, a copy of each 
pleading must be served on Thomas J. Litwiler, Esq., Oppenheimer Wolff 
& Donnelly, Two Prudential Plaza, 45th Floor, 180 North Stetson Avenue, 
Chicago, IL 60601.

    Decided: January 29, 1997.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-2856 Filed 2-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P