[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 37 (Monday, February 25, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 10094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3477]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-183 (Sub-No. 4X); STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 
301X)]


Union Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Allegheny 
County, PA; Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Discontinuance of 
Trackage Rights Exemption--in Allegheny County, PA

    On February 5, 2008, Union Railroad Company (URR) and Norfolk 
Southern Railway Company (NSR) (collectively, petitioners) jointly 
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 for 
URR to discontinue service and abandon and for NSR to discontinue 
trackage rights over a 1.34-mile line of railroad between South 
Duquesne, PA, and McKeesport, PA, in Allegheny County, PA. The line 
extends from McKeesport Branch Station 0+00 (Duquesne Branch Station 
97+26) at the point of switch for turnout D-60, to McKeesport Branch 
Station 70+78 at the point of switch for turnout UM-1, and includes the 
Riverton Railroad Bridge (Riverton Bridge) that crosses the Monongahela 
River at Monongahela milepost 14.3. The line traverses U.S. Postal 
Service Zip Codes 15110 and 15132, and includes no stations.
    Petitioners state that, based on information in their possession, 
the line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in petitioners' 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 May 23, 2008 \1\ (sooner if petitioners' request for 
expedited handling can be accommodated).
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    \1\ Petitioners seek expedited consideration of the petition, 
stating that the line proposed to be abandoned, including the 
Riverton Bridge, is intended to be used as a trail and would be the 
final link of a trail system that would connect Washington, DC and 
the City of Pittsburgh. According to petitioners, the official 
opening of the system is scheduled for on or about October 1, 2008. 
Petitioners state that, prior to the trail opening, construction 
would be required to prepare the line for use as a trail. 
Petitioners have confirmed that they are aware that removal of rail 
or railroad-related materials may not occur until completion of the 
exemption process, including compliance with any environmental or 
historic conditions that may be imposed.
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    Any offer of financial assistance (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 $1,300 
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.\2\ 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 March 17, 2008. Each 
trail use request must be accompanied by a $200 filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(27).
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    \2\ As noted, petitioners intend that the line be developed for 
trail use. Petitioners state that URR, and its parent company United 
States Steel Corporation, have engaged in negotiations with 
Allegheny County and plan for URR to transfer title to the line to 
Allegheny County.
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    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket 
Nos. AB-183 (Sub-No. 4X) and AB-290 (Sub-No. 301X), and must be sent 
to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20423-0001; (2) for URR--John A. Vuono, Vuono & Gray, LLC, 310 Grant 
Street, Suite 2310, Pittsburgh, PA 15219; and (3) for NSR--Greg E. 
Summy, General Solicitor, Norfolk Southern Corp., Three Commercial 
Place, Norfolk, VA 23510-2191. Replies to petitioners' petition are due 
on or before March 17, 2008.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Governmental and Public 
Affairs at (202) 245-0230 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) 245-0305. [Assistance for the 
hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.]
    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). The EA in an abandonment proceeding normally will 
be made available within 60 days of the filing of the petition. The 
deadline for submission of comments on the EA generally will be within 
30 days of its service. Here, SEA anticipates issuing the EA on March 
5, 2008, and making comments due by April 4, 2008, in an effort to 
accommodate petitioners' request for expedited consideration.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at: 
http://www.stb.dot.gov.


    Decided: February 15, 2008.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Anne K. Quinlan,
Acting Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E8-3477 Filed 2-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P