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###### Department of Transportation

###### Federal Railroad Administration

          - [Docket Number FRA-2018-0108]

Under part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that on December 4, 2018, the San Pedro Valley Railroad (SPVR) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR 229.23(a). FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2018-0108.

Specifically, SPVR seeks relief from 49 CFR 229.23(a), which requires that railroads perform periodic inspections “only where adequate facilities are available,” and that “a locomotive shall be positioned so that a person may safely inspect the entire underneath portion of the locomotive.” SPVR explains the railroad operates a small, rural switching operation with one locomotive in Willcox, AZ, and does not have an inspection pit. SPVR states that quarterly periodic inspections do not justify a costly inspection pit, which would entail extensive excavation, require a pumping system to remove storm water, and would create a safety hazard to the public. Finally, SPVR states it has been performing periodic inspections without the use of a pit for several years without accident or incident.

                    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 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, 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 31, 2019 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.

Robert C. Lauby,

Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.

[FR Doc. 2018-27211 Filed 12-14-18; 8:45 am]

 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P