02-15802. Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System or Relief From Requirements

Pursuant to Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 235 and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), the following railroads have petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval for the discontinuance or modification of the signal system or relief from the requirements of 49 CFR part 236 as detailed below.

Docket Number FRA-2002-12175

Applicant: CSX Transportation, Incorporated, Mr. Eric G. Peterson, Assistant Chief Engineer, Signal Design and Construction, 4901 Belfort Road, Suite 130 (S/C J-370), Jacksonville, Florida 32256.

CSX Transportation, Incorporated seeks approval of the proposed modification of the signal systems, on three segments of the Baltimore Service Lane, Baltimore Terminal Subdivision, near, Baltimore, Maryland, consisting of the following:

1. Elimination of the present automatic block signal (ABS) Rules 243-246 which are in effect for westward movements on the South Baltimore Industrial Track between Westport and Carroll, on the South Baltimore Branch, and conversion of the method of operation to Rule 105 (Other than main track) and Rule 46 (Operating Speeds on other than main tracks).

2. Elimination of the present traffic control system (TCS) Rules 265-272 which are in effect on the Mt. Winans No.11 Track, and conversion of the method of operation to Rules 105 and 46.

3. Elimination of the present ABS current of traffic Rule D-251 and Yard Limit Rule 93 which are in effect between Westport, milepost BRN0.5 and Mt. Winans Yard Limits, milepost BAS0.5, and conversion of the method of operation to Rules 105 and 46.

The reason given for the proposed changes is that traffic density does not warrant retention of the signal systems through these track segments.

Any interested party desiring to protest the granting of an application shall set forth specifically the grounds upon which the protest is made, and contain a concise statement of the interest of the party in the proceeding. Additionally, one copy of the protest shall be furnished to the applicant at the address listed above.

All communications concerning this proceeding should be identified by the docket number and must be submitted to the Docket Clerk, DOT Central Docket Management Facility, Room PI-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Communications received within 45 days of the date of this notice will be considered by the FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered as far as practicable. All written communications concerning these proceedings are available for examination during regular business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) at DOT Central Docket Management Facility, Room PI-401 (Plaza Level), 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. All documents in the public docket are also available for inspection and copying on the internet at the docket facility's Web site at http://dms.dot.gov.

FRA expects to be able to determine these matters without an oral hearing. However, if a specific request for an oral hearing is accompanied by a showing that the party is unable to adequately present his or her position by written statements, an application may be set for public hearing.

Issued in Washington, DC on June 13, 2002.

Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,

Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program Development.