Canadian National Railway Company and Grand Trunk Corporation-Control-EJ&E West Company 1, 21718-21719 [2010-9611]

Download as PDF sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES 21718 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 79 / Monday, April 26, 2010 / Notices 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: https:// 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 https://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 VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:56 Apr 23, 2010 Jkt 220001 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 https://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 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [Docket No. FD 35087] Canadian National Railway Company and Grand Trunk Corporation— Control—EJ&E West Company 1 AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board will hold a public hearing beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2010, in the Hearing Room on the first floor of the Board’s headquarters in Washington, DC. The purpose of the hearing is for Canadian National Railway Company (CN) to explain why CN’s submissions to the Board on crossing blockages of 10 minutes or more differ from data automatically reported in its own crossing gates, and why CN did not disclose that it had such information. The meeting will be open for public observation but not public participation. DATES: The meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 28, 2010, beginning at 1 p.m. ADDRESS: The meeting will be held in the Hearing Room on the first floor of the Board’s headquarters at Patriot’s Plaza, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423–0001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Ziehm, Office of Proceedings, Telephone: (202) 245–0391. [Assistance 1 This decision also embraces Elgin, Joliet & E. Ry.—Corporate Family Exemption—EJ&E W. Co., FD 35087 (Sub-No. 1); Chi., Cent. & Pac. R.R.— Trackage Rights Exemption—EJ&E W. Co., FD 35087 (Sub-No. 2); Grand Trunk W. R.R.—Trackage Rights Exemption—EJ&E W. Co., FD 35087 (Sub-No. 3); Ill. Cent. R.R.—Trackage Rights Exemption— EJ&E W. Co., FD 35087 (Sub-No. 4); Wis. Cent. Ltd.—Trackage Rights Exemption—EJ&E W. Co., FD 35087 (Sub-No. 5); EJ&E W. Co.—Trackage Rights Exemption—Chi., Cent. & Pac. R.R., FD 35087 (SubNo. 6); and EJ&E W. Co.—Trackage Rights Exemption—Ill. Cent. R.R., FD 35087 (Sub-No. 7). PO 00000 Frm 00142 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at: (800) 877–8339.] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a decision served December 24, 2008, the Board approved, subject to numerous environmental and other conditions, the acquisition of control by CN of EJ&E West Company, a wholly owned, noncarrier subsidiary of Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E). See Canadian Nat’l Ry. & Grand Trunk Corp.—Control—EJ&E W. Co. (Approval Decision), FD 38057, et al. (STB served Dec. 24, 2008). As part of the Approval Decision, the Board established a 5-year monitoring and oversight period to allow the Board to examine closely various aspects of the transaction, including community concerns about post-acquisition increased delay and blockages at the numerous highway/rail at-grade crossings (places where rail lines cross streets at the same level, rather than going over or under the streets) on the former EJ&E line. As part of that oversight process, CN must file monthly status reports on certain operational matters related to the acquisition, including ‘‘the date and descriptive information about each crossing blocking occurrence on the [former] EJ&E rail line that exceeds 10 minutes in duration.’’ Id. at 26. CN also must file quarterly reports on the implementation of the environmental conditions. CN reported in its November 2009 operational report that 4 street crossing blockages of 10 minutes or more occurred because of stopped CN trains on the former EJ&E line. CN’s December 2009 operational report stated that 10 street crossing blockages of 10 minutes or more had occurred as a result of stopped CN trains. Citizens and communities along the former EJ&E line began to voice concerns about the accuracy and completeness of CN’s reports. To investigate, the Board tasked its independent third-party contractor, HDR, Inc. (HDR), to review and audit information provided by CN in its monthly reports for November and December 2009. HDR was specifically instructed to review the information reported by CN on the number of trains operating on the former EJ&E line that caused blockages at highway/rail atgrade crossings for 10 minutes or more.2 HDR’s independent audit report, prepared at the Board’s request, presents 2 The audit also involved vehicle delay and traffic congestion at at-grade crossings; train volumes; noise and vibration caused by CN trains; operational accidents; and appropriate public grade crossing signs. E:\FR\FM\26APN1.SGM 26APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 79 / Monday, April 26, 2010 / Notices sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES a significantly different story than CN’s reports. HDR’s report explains that it discovered that many of the highway/ rail at-grade crossings on the former EJ&E line acquired by CN are equipped with ‘‘Radio Transmission Units,’’ also known as RTUs, which record when crossing gates are down. When the gate down time exceeds 10 minutes, the RTU sends a time-stamped fax to the train dispatcher. When the crossing gate is raised, the RTU sends another fax to the train dispatcher indicating that the gate has been raised, along with the time that the crossing gate has gone up. The total elapsed time is then calculated and archived. According to HDR’s report, the RTUgenerated data shows 1,457 instances, involving 85 different crossings on the former EJ&E line, where the crossing signal system was activated and the gates were in the down position for periods exceeding 10 minutes in November/December 2009. The 14 instances of street crossing blockages due to stopped trains in CN’s reports for November/December 2009 are included in the RTU-generated data for the same time periods. However, 1,443 street crossing blockages of 10 minutes or more listed in the RTU-generated data are not described in CN’s monthly reports. Consequently, the Board hereby orders CN to appear for a hearing at the Board’s offices on April 28, 2010. At that time, the Board expects CN to VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:56 Apr 23, 2010 Jkt 220001 address why it did not report the existence of this data to the Board earlier as part of its ongoing monitoring responsibilities. HDR representatives also will appear at the hearing to answer Board questions regarding its independent audit that uncovered this RTU data. The hearing will be open for public observation but not for public participation. The general public is invited to file written comments by May 28, 2010, on HDR’s audit and the RTUdata CN will be submitting to the Board. Live Video Streaming Available Via the Internet: A video broadcast of this hearing will be available on the Board’s Web site at https://www.stb.dot.gov, under ‘‘Information Center’’/‘‘Webcast’’/ ‘‘Live Video.’’ This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the human environment or the conservation of energy resources. Dated: April 20, 2010. By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of Proceedings. Kulunie L. Cannon, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2010–9611 Filed 4–23–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P PO 00000 21719 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Sunshine Act Meetings; Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. TIME AND DATE: May 20, 2010, 12 noon to 3 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. PLACE: This meeting will take place telephonically. Any interested person may call Mr. Avelino Gutierrez at (505) 827–4565 to receive the toll free number and pass code needed to participate in this meeting by telephone. STATUS: Open to the public. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors (the Board) will continue its work in developing and implementing the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement and to that end, may consider matters properly before the Board. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Avelino Gutierrez, Chair, Unified Carrier Registration Board of Directors at (505) 827–4565. Issued on: April 19, 2010. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development. [FR Doc. 2010–9666 Filed 4–22–10; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P Frm 00143 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\26APN1.SGM 26APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 79 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21718-21719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-9611]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. FD 35087]


Canadian National Railway Company and Grand Trunk Corporation--
Control--EJ&E West Company \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ This decision also embraces Elgin, Joliet & E. Ry.--
Corporate Family Exemption--EJ&E W. Co., FD 35087 (Sub-No. 1); Chi., 
Cent. & Pac. R.R.--Trackage Rights Exemption--EJ&E W. Co., FD 35087 
(Sub-No. 2); Grand Trunk W. R.R.--Trackage Rights Exemption--EJ&E W. 
Co., FD 35087 (Sub-No. 3); Ill. Cent. R.R.--Trackage Rights 
Exemption--EJ&E W. Co., FD 35087 (Sub-No. 4); Wis. Cent. Ltd.--
Trackage Rights Exemption--EJ&E W. Co., FD 35087 (Sub-No. 5); EJ&E 
W. Co.--Trackage Rights Exemption--Chi., Cent. & Pac. R.R., FD 35087 
(Sub-No. 6); and EJ&E W. Co.--Trackage Rights Exemption--Ill. Cent. 
R.R., FD 35087 (Sub-No. 7).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board will hold a public hearing 
beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2010, in the Hearing Room 
on the first floor of the Board's headquarters in Washington, DC. The 
purpose of the hearing is for Canadian National Railway Company (CN) to 
explain why CN's submissions to the Board on crossing blockages of 10 
minutes or more differ from data automatically reported in its own 
crossing gates, and why CN did not disclose that it had such 
information. The meeting will be open for public observation but not 
public participation.

DATES: The meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 
beginning at 1 p.m.

ADDRESS: The meeting will be held in the Hearing Room on the first 
floor of the Board's headquarters at Patriot's Plaza, 395 E Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Ziehm, Office of Proceedings, 
Telephone: (202) 245-0391. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is 
available through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at: 
(800) 877-8339.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a decision served December 24, 2008, the 
Board approved, subject to numerous environmental and other conditions, 
the acquisition of control by CN of EJ&E West Company, a wholly owned, 
noncarrier subsidiary of Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company 
(EJ&E). See Canadian Nat'l Ry. & Grand Trunk Corp.--Control--EJ&E W. 
Co. (Approval Decision), FD 38057, et al. (STB served Dec. 24, 2008). 
As part of the Approval Decision, the Board established a 5-year 
monitoring and oversight period to allow the Board to examine closely 
various aspects of the transaction, including community concerns about 
post-acquisition increased delay and blockages at the numerous highway/
rail at-grade crossings (places where rail lines cross streets at the 
same level, rather than going over or under the streets) on the former 
EJ&E line. As part of that oversight process, CN must file monthly 
status reports on certain operational matters related to the 
acquisition, including ``the date and descriptive information about 
each crossing blocking occurrence on the [former] EJ&E rail line that 
exceeds 10 minutes in duration.'' Id. at 26. CN also must file 
quarterly reports on the implementation of the environmental 
conditions.
    CN reported in its November 2009 operational report that 4 street 
crossing blockages of 10 minutes or more occurred because of stopped CN 
trains on the former EJ&E line. CN's December 2009 operational report 
stated that 10 street crossing blockages of 10 minutes or more had 
occurred as a result of stopped CN trains.
    Citizens and communities along the former EJ&E line began to voice 
concerns about the accuracy and completeness of CN's reports. To 
investigate, the Board tasked its independent third-party contractor, 
HDR, Inc. (HDR), to review and audit information provided by CN in its 
monthly reports for November and December 2009. HDR was specifically 
instructed to review the information reported by CN on the number of 
trains operating on the former EJ&E line that caused blockages at 
highway/rail at-grade crossings for 10 minutes or more.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The audit also involved vehicle delay and traffic congestion 
at at-grade crossings; train volumes; noise and vibration caused by 
CN trains; operational accidents; and appropriate public grade 
crossing signs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    HDR's independent audit report, prepared at the Board's request, 
presents

[[Page 21719]]

a significantly different story than CN's reports. HDR's report 
explains that it discovered that many of the highway/rail at-grade 
crossings on the former EJ&E line acquired by CN are equipped with 
``Radio Transmission Units,'' also known as RTUs, which record when 
crossing gates are down. When the gate down time exceeds 10 minutes, 
the RTU sends a time-stamped fax to the train dispatcher. When the 
crossing gate is raised, the RTU sends another fax to the train 
dispatcher indicating that the gate has been raised, along with the 
time that the crossing gate has gone up. The total elapsed time is then 
calculated and archived.
    According to HDR's report, the RTU-generated data shows 1,457 
instances, involving 85 different crossings on the former EJ&E line, 
where the crossing signal system was activated and the gates were in 
the down position for periods exceeding 10 minutes in November/December 
2009. The 14 instances of street crossing blockages due to stopped 
trains in CN's reports for November/December 2009 are included in the 
RTU-generated data for the same time periods. However, 1,443 street 
crossing blockages of 10 minutes or more listed in the RTU-generated 
data are not described in CN's monthly reports.
    Consequently, the Board hereby orders CN to appear for a hearing at 
the Board's offices on April 28, 2010. At that time, the Board expects 
CN to address why it did not report the existence of this data to the 
Board earlier as part of its ongoing monitoring responsibilities. HDR 
representatives also will appear at the hearing to answer Board 
questions regarding its independent audit that uncovered this RTU data.
    The hearing will be open for public observation but not for public 
participation. The general public is invited to file written comments 
by May 28, 2010, on HDR's audit and the RTU-data CN will be submitting 
to the Board.
    Live Video Streaming Available Via the Internet: A video broadcast 
of this hearing will be available on the Board's Web site at https://www.stb.dot.gov, under ``Information Center''/``Webcast''/``Live 
Video.''
    This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the 
human environment or the conservation of energy resources.

    Dated: April 20, 2010.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Kulunie L. Cannon,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2010-9611 Filed 4-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P
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