[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 239 (Friday, December 11, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80224-80225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27269]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2020-0091]


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 
November 19, 2020, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) 
petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval 
to discontinue or modify a signal system. FRA assigned the petition 
Docket Number FRA-2020-0091.

Applicant: National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Nicholas J. Croce 
III, PE, Deputy Chief Engineer, C&S, 2995 Market Street, Philadelphia, 
PA 19104

    Specifically, Amtrak requests permission to convert approximately 6 
miles of its cab signal and fixed automatic block signal system to a 
signal system having cab signals without fixed automatic block signals, 
operated under NORAC Rule 562, on Amtrak's Mid-Atlantic Division, Main 
Line Philadelphia to Washington, Northeast Corridor, between Landover 
interlocking located at milepost (MP) 128.8, Landover, Maryland, and CP 
Avenue located at MP 134.6, Washington, DC. Amtrak is the owner and 
operator of this line. Maryland Area Regional Commuter Train Service, 
Norfolk Southern Railway, and CSX Transportation operate on portions of 
this line as tenants with trackage rights. All tenants have concurred 
with the application.
    The changes proposed are to remove the wayside signals on Tracks 
No. 2 and No. 3 at automatic block points 1298, 1307, 1323/1324, and 
1338/1339. All locations will remain in service as a block point 
without wayside signals.
    The reason for removal of the signals is to eliminate maintenance 
and operation of unnecessary hardware and to reduce delays to trains 
caused by failures of the signals.
    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:
    <bullet> Website: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
    <bullet> 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 January 25, 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

[[Page 80225]]

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. 2020-27269 Filed 12-10-20; 8:45 am]
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