[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 28, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 5023]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1725]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 6494]


Executive Order 11423, as Amended; Notice of Receipt of 
Application for a Presidential Permit for an International Rail Bridge 
on the U.S.-Mexico Border near Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, 
Tamaulipas, Mexico

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of State hereby gives notice that, on December 
31, 2008, it received from Kansas City Southern (KCS) an application 
for a Presidential permit to authorize the construction, operation, and 
maintenance of a new international rail bridge called the East Loop 
Bypass on the U.S.-Mexico border near Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, 
Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the application, KCS is an 
international transportation company comprised of three railroads and 
owns and operates an existing railroad bridge in Laredo. The proposed 
railroad bridge would be about 12 miles south of the existing railroad 
bridge. According to the application, the East Loop Rail Bypass project 
would relocate rail traffic from the Laredo city center, provide for 
additional rail capacity, enhance corridor safety, and improve the 
efficiency of cross-border rail crossings. In addition to the 
international bridge itself, KCS proposes as part of the project to 
construct about 50 miles of track to connect the new bridge to existing 
rail lines.
    The Department's jurisdiction over this application is based upon 
Executive Order 11423 of August 16, 1968, as amended. As provided in 
E.O. 11423, the Department is circulating this application to relevant 
federal and state agencies for review and comment. Under E.O. 11423, 
the Department has the responsibility to determine, taking into account 
input from these agencies and other stakeholders, whether issuance of a 
Presidential permit for this proposed bridge would be in the U.S. 
national interest.

DATES: Interested members of the public are invited to submit written 
comments regarding this application on or before April 28, 2009, to Mr. 
Daniel Darrach, U.S.-Mexico Border Affairs Coordinator, via e-mail at 
[email protected], or by mail at WHA/MEX--Room 3909, 
Department of State, 2201 C St., NW., Washington, DC 20520.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Daniel Darrach, U.S.-Mexico Border 
Affairs Coordinator, via e-mail at [email protected]; by 
phone at 202-647-9894; or by mail at WHA/MEX--Room 3909, Department of 
State, 2201 C St., NW., Washington, DC 20520. General information about 
Presidential Permits is available on the Internet at http:/
www.state.gov/pwha/rt/permit/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This application and supporting documents 
are available for review in the Office of Mexican Affairs during normal 
business hours.

    Dated: January 21, 2009.
Alex Lee,
Director, Office of Mexican Affairs, Department of State.
 [FR Doc. E9-1725 Filed 1-27-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-29-P