Document
Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System
This document provides the public notice that the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) petitioned FRA seeking approval to discontinue or modify a signal system.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Under 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 letter received September 10, 2025, Amtrak petitioned FRA seeking approval to discontinue or modify a signal system. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2025-0754.
Specifically, Amtrak requests to remove all automatic block signals on its New York Terminal District Main Line (East River Tunnel Lines 1 and 2) on the New York Division from milepost (MP) 0.1 to MP 3.0. Amtrak adds that the existing cab with wayside signal configuration will be replaced with block points without wayside signals and a control point will be added. In its petition, Amtrak states that removing these signals will “increase capacity, eliminate maintenance and operation of unnecessary hardware no longer needed, and . . . reduce delays to trains caused by failures of the signals.” Amtrak further states that safety in the subject area will be upheld as the cab signal system and positive train control will enforce train speed and positive train stop. This request is part of Amtrak's efforts to renew infrastructure in this area. Long Island Rail Road and New Jersey Transit are both tenants on this line and have provided concurrence with the application.
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 party desires 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.
Communications received by December 19, 2025 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered if practicable.
Privacy Act
Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications and comments received into any of FRA's 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.