Department of Transportation – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Austro Engine GmbH Model E4 and E4P engines. This AD was prompted by reports of engine failures and the determination that certain batches of cap screws, installed on the inner main bearing positions of the engine, were manufactured at the lower end of the material strength tolerance. This AD requires replacing certain cap screws with a part eligible for installation and prohibits installing certain cap screws on any inner main bearing position of any engine. This AD also prohibits installing certain engine cores on any engine unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600- 2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-33 and Q-66 in the eastern United States. The FAA is taking this action to support the Little Rock, AR (LIT), Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) Relocation Project and continued Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) efforts providing a modern RNAV route structure to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

On September 19, 2023, FRA published a public notice in Docket Number FRA-2018-0041 announcing that on July 1, 2023, Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation (Petitioner) submitted a petition seeking renewal of a waiver. In this notice, FRA is announcing a public hearing to allow interested persons the opportunity to provide comments on the petition. FRA is also announcing it is reopening the comment period for 15 days to allow time for interested parties to submit comments on the petition or in response to views or information provided at the public hearing.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations for certain brake accumulators are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This proposed AD would also require determining the accumulated landings on the affected brake accumulators. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPS) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure procedures (ODPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This action amends the using agency for restricted areas R- 2510A and R-2510B in the vicinity of El Centro, CA from ``Commanding Officer, U.S. Navy Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, San Diego, CA'' to ``U.S. Marine Corps, Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Yuma, AZ''. This action does not change any boundaries, altitudes, times of designation, or activities conducted within the restricted areas.

PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comments on a request for special permit received from the DTM Gas Storage Company (DTM). The special permit request is seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit request.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Webster, SD. The FAA is proposing this action due to the development of new public instrument procedures at The Sigurd Anderson Airport, Webster, SD, and to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 16 individuals for an exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

This action establishes one United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Q-route, four RNAV T-routes, and amends one RNAV T-route in the eastern United States. This action supports FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) efforts to provide a modern RNAV route structure to improve the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from Arbert Ibraimi to be exempt from the requirement that drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) use an electronic logging device (ELD) to record their hours of service (HOS). The applicant requests to use paper logs instead of an ELD for 12 months and asserts that because he is a new business operating as an owner-operator he cannot afford an ELD. FMCSA requests public comment on the applicant's request for exemption.

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) is accepting for consideration an application (Application) filed on January 30, 2024, by Canadian National Railway Company (CNR) and Grand Trunk Corporation (GTC), together with the Iowa Northern Railway Company (Iowa Northern or IANR) (collectively, Applicants). The Application seeks Board approval for CNR and GTC to acquire control of Iowa Northern, a Class III rail carrier that operates a total of approximately 218 route miles in the state of Iowa. This proposal is referred to as the ``Proposed Transaction.'' The Board is also accepting for consideration two related filings. Those filings are verified notices of exemption seeking Board approval of transactions involving mutual trackage rights between Iowa Northern and the Chicago, Central & Pacific Railroad Company (CCP), an indirect rail carrier subsidiary of GTC (Related Transactions).

FMCSA requests public comment on an application for exemption submitted by Convoy Technologies, Inc. (Convoy) to allow motor carriers to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMV) equipped with Convoy's Electronic Rear View System (ERVS) installed as an alternative to the two rear-vision mirrors required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all airplanes with certain Pacific Scientific Company rotary buckle assemblies (buckles) installed. This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing defect in the screws used inside the buckle. This proposed AD would require inspecting the buckle screws, and depending on the results, reidentifying the buckle, replacing the screws and reidentifying the buckle, or replacing the buckle. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing certain buckles. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FHWA in coordination with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Division (MassDOT) is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) to solicit comments and advise the public, agencies, and stakeholders that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to study the potential environmental and related social and economic effects of proposed transportation improvements through the Cape Cod Bridges Program in the town of Bourne, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. The Cape Cod Bridges Program proposes critical transportation infrastructure improvements including replacement of the Bourne and Sagamore highway bridges spanning Cape Cod Canal; reconfiguration of the highway approach networks north and south of Cape Cod Canal to align with the replacement highway bridges; and provision of separated pedestrian and bicycle accommodations along the replacement bridges with connections to the local roadway network. This NOI contains a summary of the information required in the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA regulations. This NOI should be reviewed together with the Supplementary NOI Document, which includes important details about the Cape Cod Bridges Program and complements the information in this NOI. Persons and agencies who may be interested in or affected by the Cape Cod Bridges Program are encouraged to comment on the information in this NOI and the Supplementary NOI Document. All comments received in response to this NOI will be considered and any information presented herein may be revised in consideration of the comments.

The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans that are final. The actions relate to a proposed highway project, the State Route 46 Corridor Improvement Project Antelope Grade Section, approximately 10 miles northeast of the community of Shandon in the County of San Luis Obispo and 32 miles northwest of the census-designated town of Lost Hills in the County of Kern, State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked vertical stabilizer top end cap assemblies. This AD requires an initial and recurring inspections of the vertical stabilizer top end cap assembly and corrective action if a crack is found, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA previously sent this AD as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes T-489, T-491, T-493, and T-495; amend RNAV Routes Q-102, T-210, T-336, T-341, and T-349; and revoke RNAV Route T- 204 in the eastern United States. This action supports FAA Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) efforts to provide a modern RNAV route structure to improve the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

This action amends the description of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-97 by changing the name of the DLAAY, MD, waypoint (WP) to the BYSEL, MD, WP; changing the type of point for the SAWED, VA, and KALDA, VA, route points from being listed as a ``Fix'' to a ``WP''; and correcting the geographic coordinates listed for the existing route points between the JEVED, GA, WP and the Presque Isle, ME (PQI), Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid. The FAA is taking these actions to match the FAA National Airspace System Resource (NASR) database information. These actions are editorial amendments only and do not alter the alignment, dimensions, or operating requirements of Q-97.