[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 162 (Thursday, August 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 44514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22108]



[[Page 44514]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-167 (Sub-No. 1179X)]


Consolidated Rail Corporation--Discontinuance Exemption--in 
Suffolk County, MA

    On July 31, 1997, Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) filed 
with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 
U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to 
discontinue, for a period of approximately 3 years, all rail 
transportation over a line of railroad known as the Boston Terminal 
Running Track (also sometimes known as ``Track 61''), lying between the 
west side of Summer Street at approximately railroad milepost 0.85 and 
the end of the track at Boston Harbor Pier, a distance of approximately 
0.50 mile, traversing U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code 02127, in the City 
of Boston, Suffolk County, MA.
    The right-of-way and track on this line are owned and maintained by 
the Massachusetts Port Authority and operated by Conrail. The 
Massachusetts Highway Department has requested Conrail to seek 
authority to discontinue service over the line for a period of 
approximately 3 years, to facilitate construction of a portion of the 
Central Artery/Tunnel highway project, including the South Boston 
Interchange. After the projected completion of this project in July 
2000, the line will have been restored to operating condition, and 
Conrail will be able to resume common carrier rail freight service on 
the line. Pending issuance of a decision in this matter, Conrail has 
placed an embargo on the line.
    Conrail states that it does not believe that this line contains any 
federally granted rights-of-way. To the extent there may be any 
documentation in Conrail's possession in this regard, it will be made 
available promptly to those requesting it.
    The interest of railroad employees will be protected by the 
conditions set forth in Oregon Short Line R. Company--Abandonment--
Goshen, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979).
    By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by November 18, 1997.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) to subsidize continued rail 
service <SUP>1</SUP> under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) will be due no later 
than 10 days after service of a decision granting the petition for 
exemption. Each offer of financial assistance must be accompanied by 
the filing fee, which is currently set at $900. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(25).
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    \1\ OFAs to acquire the line for continued rail service, public 
use and trail use requests, and environmental reporting requirements 
do not apply when only a discontinuance is sought. Under the 
circumstance described by Conrail, an OFA to subsidize continued 
service over the line would appear to be inconsistent with local 
construction plans, but Conrail has not sought an exemption from the 
applicable provisions of section 10904.
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    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-167 (Sub-No. 1179X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, Office of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, N.W., 
Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) John J. Paylor, 2001 Market Street--
16A, Philadelphia, PA 19101-1416.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment or 
discontinuance procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public 
Services at (202) 565-1592 or refer to the full abandonment or 
discontinuance regulations at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning 
environmental issues may be directed to the Board's Section of 
Environmental Analysis (SEA) at (202) 565-1545. [TDD for the hearing 
impaired is available at (202) 565-1695.]

    Decided: August 13, 1997.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-22108 Filed 8-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-U