[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 14 (Monday, January 25, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 6951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-01421]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2021-0003]


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

    Under part 235 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and 49 
U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the public notice that on 
January 5, 2021, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) petitioned the 
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval to discontinue 
or modify a signal system. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-
2021-0003.

Applicant: Norfolk Southern Corporation, Tommy A. Phillips, Senior 
Director--C&S Engineering, 1200 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

    Specifically, NS requests permission to discontinue an automatic 
block signal (ABS) and traffic control system (TCS) on the S line from 
milepost (MP) S25.7, Statesville, North Carolina, to MP S145.0, control 
point (CP) Craggy, on the Coastal Division. This includes CPs at 
Biltmore, Mitchell, Russell, and Murphy Junction slide fences, and 52 
automatic signals. The main track between S25.7 and S145.0 will be 
converted to NS Rule 171 operation. An automatic signal at MP S26.2 
will be converted to an operable approach signal. The signaled sidings 
within the application limits will be made non-controlled, other than 
main track.
    NS states the reason for the proposed discontinuance is that 
operations no longer require ABS or TCS.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov.
    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 and a public hearing, 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:
     Website: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
     Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.
    Communications received by March 11, 2021 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.). 
Under 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.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-01421 Filed 1-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P