Document ID: FRA-2013-0017-0003
Agency: fra
Document Type: Notice
Title: Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System
Posted Date: 2013-03-07T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 45 (Thursday, March 7, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 14874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05319]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2013-0017]

Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or 
Modification of a Railroad Signal System

    In accordance with Part 235 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 
and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the public notice that 
by a document dated February 6, 2013, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) 
has petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking 
approval for the discontinuance or modification of a signal system. FRA 
assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2013-0017.
    Applicant: Norfolk Southern Corporation, Mr. Brian Sykes, Chief 
Engineer, C&S Engineering, 1200 Peachtree Street NE., Atlanta, Georgia 
30309.
    NS seeks approval of the proposed temporary discontinuance of the 
signal system at the Randolph Street Control Point on the Virginia 
Division in Roanoke, VA, during a major track and signal 
rationalization project. The Randolph Street Control Point uses 
Microlok for the control of switches and signals. This Control Point 
connects NS's H-Line, N-Line, and W-Line with its Roanoke Yard and 
locations to the west.
    NS will be required to temporarily discontinue the use of the 
signal system while performing a major part of the track work. The 
Randolph Street Tower, where the Microlok system is currently housed, 
will be removed to make room for a new track through that area. NS 
estimates the discontinuance of signals for 90 to 120 days at the 
Randolph Street Control Point during its construction efforts. During 
that period, trains will operate through the area at restricted speed 
on permission from the dispatcher, as well as a switch tender on the 
ground. NS seeks to have all of the work completed with its signals 
tested and placed back in service in the November/December 2013 
timeframe. NS seeks to make the proposed changes to replace the older 
Microlok system with newer technology solid-state equipment, to 
increase train speeds through the area, and to facilitate the 
installation of Positive Train Control.
    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 party 
desires an opportunity for oral comment, 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:
     Web site: 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 April 22, 2013 will be considered by FRA 
before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be 
considered as far as practicable.
    Anyone is able to 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.). 
See http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy notice 
of regulations.gov or interested parties may review DOT's complete 
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 
2000 (65 FR 19477).

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 4, 2013.
Robert C. Lauby,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Regulatory and Legislative 
Operations.
[FR Doc. 2013-05319 Filed 3-6-13; 8:45 am]
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