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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 248 (Friday, December 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 105684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-31054]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2020-0009]

Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that on October 24, 2024, the 
Metropolitan Council's Metro Transit Division (Metro Transit) 
petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for an extension 
of a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal 
railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR parts 219 (Control of 
Alcohol and Drug Use), 220 (Railroad Communications), and 234 (Grade 
Crossing Safety). The relevant Docket Number is FRA-2020-0009.
    Specifically, Metro Transit seeks an extension of relief for its 
METRO Green Line Light Rail Transit Extension Project, which is partly 
adjacent to freight rail service operated by Twin Cities & Western 
Railroad (TCWR), with which it will share five highway-rail grade 
crossings. Metro Transit seeks extended relief from part 219 (excepting 
subpart C), as it has ``adopted an alcohol and drug use policy (``FTA 
Safety Sensitive Drug and Alcohol Program'') that complies with 
applicable Federal Transit Administration regulations, meeting the 
requirements of part 655 (Prevention of Alcohol Misuse and Prohibited 
Drug Use in Transit Operations).
    Further, Metro Transit seeks an extension of relief from the 
entirety of part 220, noting that transit operations ``will be signaled 
and dispatched separately from the adjacent TCWR freight railroad'' at 
the shared five crossings. Metro Transit states that it ``recognizes 
the importance of maintaining clear, effective and prompt 
communications between Metro Transit and the freight operator, 
particularly related to planned maintenance of way activities and 
emergencies.''
    Metro Transit also requests relief from Sec.  234.105(c), 
Activation failure, which gives requirements for protection of grade 
crossings in case of a train warning system activation failure. Because 
transit trains are operated by single-person crews, the train operator 
cannot simultaneously flag a crossing and move the train through the 
crossing. Metro Transit provides two alternative safety procedures 
involving sounding the horn followed by moving at restricted speed and 
indication using a lunar aspect signal.
    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 at www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
    Communications received by February 25, 2025 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 the U.S. Department of 
Transportation's (DOT) 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/privacy-notice for the privacy notice of 
regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-31054 Filed 12-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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