[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 23975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10644]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2017-0035]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that on April 26, 2016, Grenada 
Railroad, LLC (GRYR), the operator of trackage owned by North Central 
Mississippi Regional Railroad Authority (NCMRRA) requested that the 
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grant temporary relief from the 
requirements of 49 CFR 234.247, Purpose of inspections and tests; 
removal from service of relay or device failing to meet test 
requirements, to allow GRYR to operate over non-functioning highway-
rail grade crossings (HRGC) without making the inspections and tests 
required in 49 CFR 234.249 through 234.271. FRA assigned the petition 
Docket Number FRA-2017-0035.
    The reason for relief from the requirements is that prior to the 
purchase of the railroad by NCMRRA, the previous owner removed major 
components from the HRGC warning systems, bungalows, signals, and 
gates. As part of GRYR's commitment to provide rail services to those 
that require it, GRYR must access areas of the railroad previously 
deemed out of service. GRYR proposes to operate over affected HRGCs by 
the following alternative method:
     Making all movements over HRGC in daylight hours.
     Working with local authorities to obtain permission to 
close the roadway at a HRGC requiring occupation by a train.
     Stationing an employee at each crossing to provide warning 
to approaching highway traffic and communicate with motorists as 
needed.
    GRYR requests to use the proposed method of alternative protection 
on the GRYR Subdivision, between milepost (MP) 629 near Duck Hill, MS, 
and MP 686 south of Durant, MS, for a period not to extend beyond 
December 31, 2017. During this time period, GRYR plans to acquire and 
install the equipment necessary to bring the HRGC warning systems into 
compliance.
    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 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 parties 
desire 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 July 10, 2017 will be considered by FRA 
before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be 
considered if practicable.
    Anyone can 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 https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice for the 
privacy notice of regulations.gov.

Robert C. Lauby,
Associate Administrator for Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-10644 Filed 5-23-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P