[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 224 (Monday, November 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83329-83330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27954]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2016-0101]


Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or 
Modification of a Railroad Signal System

    In accordance with Part 235 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 
and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the public notice that 
by a document dated October 18, 2016, Red River Valley & Western 
Railroad Company (RRVW) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration 
(FRA) seeking approval for the discontinuance or modification of a 
signal system. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2016-0101.
    Applicant: Red River Valley & Western Railroad Company, Ms. Cynthia 
Olson, Manager-Operations/Administration, 501 Minnesota Avenue, 
Breckenridge, MN 56520.
    RRVW seeks approval to retire and remove two stop signs located on 
its

[[Page 83330]]

Second Subdivision at Milepost (MP) 38.0 and MP 41.0 at Davenport, ND. 
When FRA conditionally approved abandonment of the automatic 
interlocking plant located at the Davenport junction (see Docket Number 
FRA-1999-5621) in November 1999, one of the conditions of approval 
required the installation of stop signs at all four quadrants of the 
RRVW's crossing at grade between the Second and Fourth Subdivisions. 
Four stop signs were installed at the four junction switches, located 
at MP 17.0 and MP 19.0, on the Fourth Subdivision and MPs 38.0 and 41.0 
on the Second Subdivision.
    The reason given for the proposed discontinuance is that RRVW 
experienced a change in traffic patterns in the last decade and a 
significant change this past year. The Second Subdivision mainline 
track has experienced a decline in traffic due to shuttle train traffic 
rerouting through a new turnout installed at Davenport that now handles 
a majority of these trains over the Fourth Subdivision instead of the 
Second Subdivision. Yard limits would remain in effect on both the 
Second and Fourth Subdivisions. Maximum authorized track speed for 
these restricted limits is 20 mph, being able to stop short within half 
the range of vision of the stop sign and other requirements listed by 
the General Code of Operating Rules 6.13 and 6.27. Maximum speed 
through the interlocking is 12 mph.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov and in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation's (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Operations 
Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal Holidays.
    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, they should notify FRA, in 
writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for 
their request.
    All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the 
appropriate docket number and may be submitted by any of the following 
methods:
     Web site: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
     Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.
    Communications received by January 5, 2017 will be considered by 
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date 
will be considered as far as practicable.
    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of any written 
communications and comments received into any of our 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.). 
In accordance with 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 www.dot.gov/privacy. 
See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice for the privacy 
notice of regulations.gov.

Robert C. Lauby,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-27954 Filed 11-18-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P