[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 133 (Friday, July 10, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41655-41656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14786]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. FD 36418]


Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway LLC--Temporary Trackage Rights 
Exemption--The Kansas City Southern Railway Company

    Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway LLC (AGR), a Class III railroad, has 
filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(8) for the 
acquisition of

[[Page 41656]]

temporary trackage rights, for overhead operations, by AGR over a 100-
mile rail line (the Line) of The Kansas City Southern Railway Company 
(KCS) between KCS milepost 15.1 in Columbus, Miss., and KCS milepost 
135.2 in Meridian, Miss., including yard trackage at KCS Meridian Yard 
at KCS milepost 135 as necessary to connect with the Meridian & Bigbee 
Railroad, L.L.C., pursuant to the terms of a temporary trackage rights 
agreement dated July 1, 2020 (Agreement).\1\
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    \1\ A redacted copy of the Agreement is attached to the verified 
notice. An unredacted copy has been filed under seal along with a 
motion for protective order pursuant to 49 CFR 1104.14. That motion 
is addressed in a separate decision.
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    AGR states that an AGR train derailed and damaged a bridge two 
miles north of Aliceville, Ala., rendering the bridge inoperable. The 
purpose of the temporary trackage rights is to accommodate AGR's 
emergency detour operations over the Line while AGR's main line is 
repaired and the bridge is replaced. AGR states that it will cease use 
of the Line upon completion of the repairs and that the temporary 
trackage rights will expire no later than August 31, 2020.
    AGR concurrently filed a petition for waiver of the 30-day period 
under 49 CFR 1180.4(g)(1) to allow the proposed temporary trackage 
rights to become effective immediately. By decision served July 2, 
2020, the Board granted AGR's request. As a result, this exemption is 
now effective.
    As a condition to this exemption, any employees affected by the 
acquisition of the temporary trackage rights will be protected by the 
conditions imposed in Norfolk & Western Railway--Trackage Rights--
Burlington Northern, Inc., 354 I.C.C. 605 (1978), as modified in 
Mendocino Coast Railway--Lease & Operate--California Western Railroad, 
360 I.C.C. 653 (1980), and any employees affected by the discontinuance 
of those trackage rights will be protected by the conditions set out in 
Oregon Short Line Railroad--Abandonment Portion Goshen Branch Between 
Firth & Ammon, in Bingham & Bonneville Counties, Idaho, 360 I.C.C. 91 
(1979).
    If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, 
the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption 
under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a 
petition to revoke will not automatically stay the effectiveness of the 
exemption.
    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36418, must be filed with 
the Surface Transportation Board either via e-filing or in writing 
addressed to 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, a 
copy of each pleading must be served on ARG's representative, Eric M. 
Hocky, Esq., Clark Hill, PLC, Two Commerce Square, 2001 Market St., 
Suite 2620, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
    According to AGR, this action is categorically excluded from 
environmental review under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and historic reporting 
under 49 CFR 1105.8(b)(3).
    Board decisions and notices are available at www.stb.gov.

    Decided: July 2, 2020.

    By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Tammy Lowery,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2020-14786 Filed 7-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P