SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by letters received July 21 and August 10, 2026, DCR petitioned FRA for a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR part 236 (Rules, Standards, and Instructions Governing the Installation, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Signal and Train Control Systems, Devices, and Appliances). FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2026-1949.

Specifically, DCR seeks temporary relief from the requirements of §§ 236.312, Movable bridge, interlocking of signal appliances with bridge devices, and 236.387, Movable bridge locking, for the Cassatt Swing Bridge due to the destruction of its signal and bridge control hut in a fire. Consequently, the bridge has lost its “relay interlocking, bridge control equipment, signal relays, wiring, and associated control circuitry required to provide the automatic interlocking and bridge-locking functions.”

DCR states that the bridge and its mechanical components remain operable. The signal hut and relay interlocking are scheduled to be replaced by spring of 2027. DCR notes that until the work is completed, all train movements will operate under Rule 6.28, not exceeding 5 miles per hour. Further, qualified employees will manually operate the bridge and verify that the bridge is fully closed and locked before rail movements are authorized. In support of its request, DCR included several planned safety measures for the bridge, including that fixed signals governing movements over the bridge will remain as stop indications. ( printed page 57439)

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 November 9, 2026 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 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.transportation.gov/​privacy. See also www.regulations.gov/​privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.

91 FR 57438