81 FR 23546 - Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 77 (April 21, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 77 (Thursday, April 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23546-23547]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09243]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2016-0029]


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 
(CFR) and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the public notice 
that by a document dated February 26, 2016, the Canadian Pacific 
Railway (CP) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) 
seeking approval for the discontinuance or modification of a signal 
system. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2016-0029.
    Applicant: Canadian Pacific Railway, Ms. Cindy Ingram, Director S&C 
Maintenance--Southern Region, 3420 Miller Avenue, Davenport, IA 52802.
    CP seeks approval of the discontinuance of the automatic block 
signal system in the Nahant Yard area from Milepost (MP) 194 to MP 
198.6. The system spans two subdivisions: The Davenport Subdivision 
from MP 194 to MP 195.5 and the Ottumwa Subdivision from MP 195.51 to 
MP198.6, on the Quad Cities Division in Nahant, IA.
    The reason for the request is to relieve congestion caused by the 
authority of the yard limits extending south of the current absolute 
signal located at MP 196.6. The block south of the absolute signal at 
MP 196.6, being occupied by yard operations, prevents the dispatcher 
from clearing signals northward at Control Point Montpelier at MP 
205.5. This requires trains to stop while occupying highway-rail grade 
crossings and hand-line their route before proceeding northward.
    With this discontinuance, the signals at MP 194 and MP 194.18 will 
be removed. The signals at MP196.5-6 will be relocated to MP 198.6-7, 
at the south end of Nahant Yard limits with a distant signal installed. 
The portion of track from MP193.0 to MP198.6 will be governed under the 
General Code of Operating Rules, Rule 6.13, Yard Limits, to protect 
train movements.
    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 June 6, 2016 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.). 
In accordance with 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 www.dot.gov/privacy. 
See also http://

[[Page 23547]]

www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy notice of 
regulations.gov.

Robert C. Lauby,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-09243 Filed 4-20-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P