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>From the Surface Transportation Board, Washington, D.C.
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The Surface Transportation Board announced today that the Michigan
Department of Transportation (MDOT) does not need Board approval to acquire
certain physical assets of a Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) rail
line in Michigan to enable MDOT's plans for high-speed passenger rail
service over the line.
On March 30, 2012, MDOT requested
expedited Board action on its
argument that its proposal to
acquire and make capital
improvements on the NSR line assets
in several counties across southern
Michigan did not require Board
approval because MDOT would not
become a "common carrier" (here, a
freight railroad offering its
transportation services to the
public) as a result of the
transaction.
The request was unopposed, and the
Board agreed with MDOT's position.
This action permits MDOT to execute
its plan to improve the line, so
that Amtrak may run its Wolverine
service at speeds of up to 110-mph
across the line, while NSR
continues to provide freight
service as well. MDOT received two
High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail
Program grants from the Federal
Railroad Administration of more
than $346 million for this purpose.
In announcing the Board's decision,
Board Chairman Daniel R. Elliott
III said,
"It's gratifying for the Board to
be part of a project that benefits
so many. I commend the parties on
working together to make this
venture a reality."
The Board issued its decision in
State of Michigan Department of
Transportation—Acquisition
Exemption—Certain Assets of Norfolk
Southern Railway Company, FD 35606
( http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/WebDecisionID/42320?OpenDocument )
, is available for viewing and
downloading at the Board's website
at www.stb.dot.gov .
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