[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 210 (Monday, November 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58906-58907]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28249]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-31 (Sub-No. 36X]


Grand Trunk Western Railroad Incorporated--Abandonment 
Exemption--Rail Line in Detroit, MI

    On October 12, 1999, Grand Trunk Western Railroad Incorporated 
(GTW) filed with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition 
under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 
10903-05 1 to abandon a 1.31-mile segment of its line of 
railroad, known as the Dequindre Line, extending between milepost 1.77 
and milepost 0.46, in Detroit, Wayne County, MI. The line traverses 
U.S. Postal Service Zip Code 48226 and has no stations.
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    \1\ GTW seeks exemptions from the offer of financial assistance 
(OFA) provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10904 and from the public use 
provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10905. These exemption requests will be 
addressed in the final decision.
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    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any

[[Page 58907]]

documentation in GTW's possession will be made available promptly to 
those requesting it.
    The interest of railroad employees will be protected by the 
conditions set forth in Oregon Short Line R. Co.--Abandonment--Goshen, 
360 I.C.C. 91 (1979).
    By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by January 28, 2000.
    Unless an exemption is granted, as sought, from the OFA provisions 
of 49 U.S.C. 10904, any OFA under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) will be due no 
later than 10 days after service of a decision granting the petition 
for exemption. Each OFA must be accompanied by a $1,000 filing fee. See 
49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
    All interested persons should be aware that, following abandonment 
of rail service and salvage of the line, the line may be suitable for 
other public use, including interim trail use. Unless an exemption is 
granted, as sought, from the public use provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10905, 
any request for a public use condition under 49 CFR 1152.28 or for 
trail use/rail banking under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than 
November 22, 1999.2 Each trail use request must be 
accompanied by a $150 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27).
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    \2\ Upon obtaining abandonment authority, GTW has contractually 
agreed to transfer the property to Jefferson Holdings, LLC, for 
development as a transportation corridor; specifically, a four-lane 
roadway and possible mass transit in the future. Therefore, it is 
unlikely that GTW will be willing to negotiate with any party for 
transfer of the line for trail use.
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    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-31 (Sub-No. 36X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, Office of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, N.W., 
Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Robert P. vom Eigen, Hopkins & 
Sutter, 888 Sixteenth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Services at (202) 
565-1592 or refer to the full abandonment or discontinuance regulations 
at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning environmental issues may be 
directed to the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) at 
(202) 565-1545. [TDD for the hearing impaired is available at (202) 
565-1695.]
    An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement 
(EIS), if necessary) prepared by SEA will be served upon all parties of 
record and upon any agencies or other persons who commented during its 
preparation. Other interested persons may contact SEA to obtain a copy 
of the EA (or EIS). EAs in these abandonment proceedings normally will 
be made available within 60 days of the filing of the petition. The 
deadline for submission of comments on the EA will generally be within 
30 days of its service.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our website at 
``WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.''

    Decided: October 21, 1999.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-28249 Filed 10-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P