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 July 10, 2026, BNSF petitioned FRA seeking approval to discontinue or modify a signal system. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2026-2444.

Specifically, BNSF requests approval to remove fixed derails located in advance of the Fort Madison movable bridge on the Chillicothe Subdivision in Illinois. Fixed derails would be removed from their interlockings on main tracks Nos. 1 and 2 between mileposts (MPs) 232.6 and 231.2. BNSF notes that PTC is fully operational in this area and “fulfills the safety overlay function previously fulfilled by the derails, ensuring that trains will always stop short of the raised bridge in the event the crew misses a signal.” Therefore, BNSF states the fixed derails have become redundant and are a potential failure point.

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

91 FR 66388