[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 104 (Monday, June 2, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 23417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-09915]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2025-0044]


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

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document provides the public notice that Norfolk Southern 
Corporation (NS) petitioned FRA seeking approval to discontinue or 
modify a signal system.

DATES: FRA must receive comments on the petition by July 2, 2025. FRA 
will consider comments received after that date to the extent 
practicable.

ADDRESSES: 
    Comments: Comments related to this docket may be submitted by going 
to https://www.regulations.gov and following the online instructions 
for submitting comments.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number. All comments received will be posted without change to 
https://www.regulations.gov; this includes any personal information. 
Please see the Privacy Act heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this document for Privacy Act information related to any 
submitted comments or materials.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the 
online instructions for accessing the docket.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Johnson, Railroad Safety 
Specialist, FRA Signal, Train Control, and Crossings Division, 
telephone: 406-210-3608, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 by letters dated March 17, 2025, and May 9, 2025, NS 
petitioned FRA seeking approval to discontinue or modify a signal 
system. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2025-0044.
    Specifically, NS requests to discontinue the traffic control system 
(TCS) on the AS Line within Asheville Yard, from milepost (MP) 138.18 
to MP 141.33 of the Blue Ridge Division. NS additionally proposes to 
remove 10 circuited hand-throw switches/derails and to convert part of 
the track to NS Rule 93 operation and part to non-signaled main track 
within yard limits. In support of its application, NS states that 
``train operations in this area no longer warrant'' the need for TCS, 
and the modification ``will aid in the restoration efforts following 
storm-related damages,'' which will ``ensur[e] a safe operating 
environment as repairs are completed'' to missing or non-repairable 
equipment. NS adds that the change will ``maintain a conservative, risk 
averse operating environment.''
    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 party 
desires 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.
    Communications received by July 2, 2025 will be considered by FRA 
before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be 
considered if practicable.

Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications 
and comments received into any of FRA's 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/privacy-notice for the 
privacy notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2025-09915 Filed 5-30-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P