Document ID: FRA-2010-0081-0002
Agency: fra
Document Type: Rule
Title: Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System or Relief From the Requirements of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 236
Posted Date: 2010-04-26T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 79 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21717-21718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-9631]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

 Federal Railroad Administration

 Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or 
Modification of a Railroad Signal System or Relief From the 
Requirements of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 236

    Pursuant to Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 235 and 
49 U.S.C. 20502(a), the following railroad has petitioned the Federal 
Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval for the discontinuance 
or modification of the signal system or relief from the requirements of 
49 CFR part 236, as detailed below.

[Docket Number FRA-2010-0081]

Applicant: Mr. D. C. Francis, Canadian National--North America, System 
Senior Manager S&C Design/Standards, 17641 South Ashland Avenue, 
Homewood, Illinois 60430.

    The Canadian National--North America (CN) seeks temporary relief 
from Sec.  236.301, where signals shall be provided, relative to CN's 
EJ&E Griffith Connection project involving the Matteson Subdivision and 
the South Bend Subdivision. CN has planned construction of a connection 
at Griffith, Station Sign 36.2, on the Matteson Subdivision to route 
trains to and from Kirk Yard via the South Bend Subdivision. CN is 
seeking expedited temporary relief of Sec.  236.301 to allow movements 
to and from Kirk Yard via the South Bend Subdivision using hand-throw 
switches within the interlocking on a proposed new connecting track 
until final construction is complete and the interlocking plant is 
fully in compliance. Upon completion, the hand-throw switches are to be 
replaced with power-operated switches. During the temporary 
installation of the connecting track, train operations will be governed 
as follows: A speed restriction of 20 mph on all routes over the hand-
throw switches on the connecting track; switch circuit controllers on 
the connecting track, which will open the OST input to the appropriate 
microprocessor and put all signals to stop when one or both switches 
are greater than \1/4\'' from normal to full reverse; a temporary track

[[Page 21718]]

circuit will be inserted to cover the trap circuit operation for the 
diamond on the Matteson Subdivision (North Side); fouling circuits will 
be effective on the new connection track; and derails will be installed 
on both ends of the new connecting track. A mandatory directive (GBO) 
will be issued covering the following: No signals will be given for 
trains routed over the new connecting track. All trains routed over the 
new connecting track will be talked by the appropriate Red signal 
governing movements into the interlocking. Highway-rail crossing starts 
on the Matteson Subdivision and South Bend Subdivision will be covered 
by Order.
    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 this proceeding should be identified 
by Docket Number FRA-2010-0081 and may be submitted by one of the 
following methods:
     Web site: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments on the DOT electronic site;
     Fax: 202-493-2251;
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; or
     Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 of the U.S. Department of 
Transportation West Building Ground Floor, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    Communications received within 30 days of the date of this notice 
will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments 
received after that date will be considered as far as practicable. All 
written communications concerning these proceedings are available for 
examination during regular business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) at the above 
facility. All documents in the public docket are also available for 
inspection and copying on the Internet at the docket facility's Web 
site at http://www.regulations.gov.
    FRA wishes to inform all potential commenters that anyone is able 
to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our 
dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or 
signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act 
Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 
19477) or at http://www.dot.gov/privacy.html.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 20, 2010.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator, for Safety Standards and Program 
Development.
[FR Doc. 2010-9631 Filed 4-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P