2013-28684. 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 (CFR) and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the public notice that by a document dated October 4, 2013, CSX Transportation (CSX) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval for the discontinuance or modification of a signal system. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2013-0111.

Applicant: CSX Transportation, Mr. David B. Olson, Chief Engineer Communications and Signals, 500 Water Street, Speed Code J-350, Jacksonville, FL 32202.

CSX seeks approval of the proposed discontinuance of the traffic control system (TCS) on main tracks between Control Point (CP) Beck, Milepost (MP) CH-27.0 and CP Seymour, MP CH-148.17, on the Chicago Division, Plymouth Subdivision, Plymouth, MI. A total of 51 controlled signals and 58 automatic signals will be removed, with 11 power-operated switches converted to hand operation. Approach signals will be installed at MPs CH-29.0, CH-53.8, CH-50.9, CH-86.5, CH-83.6, and CH-147.4. CSX Rule 261 will be replaced and operation will be under Form D Control System and track warrant control rules. There are two locations that will remain as TCS, with signals and power-operated switches remaining in operation. Those locations are at Ann Pere, MP CH-52.87, at a grade crossing with the Great Lakes Central Railroad, and W.E. Trowbridge, MP CH-84.9, at a grade crossing with the Grand Trunk Western Railroad. These locations will continue to be operated under CSX Rule CPS-261.

The reason given for the proposed changes is that CPS Rule 261 is no longer needed for present-day operations.

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: [phone].
• 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 13, 2014 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.). See http://www.regulations.gov/​#!privacyNotice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov or interested parties may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477).

Robert C. Lauby,

Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.