NS Wants to Abandon 1.16 Miles of Track in Summit County, Ohio

Norfolk Southern is seeking federal permission to abandon about 1.16 miles of track in Summit County, Ohio.

In a filing with the Surface Transportation Board, the railroad said it wants to discontinue service between milepost AI 0.29 and milepost AI 1.45.

The railroad told regulators that no local freight has moved on the segment for at least two years and that any overhead traffic can be rerouted to other lines. As part of the process, standard labor protections would apply to employees affected by the change.

The request would take effect Jan. 22, 2026, unless the Board issues a stay. Parties that want to keep service operating may file an offer of financial assistance to subsidize continued rail operations, and groups seeking interim trail use or railbanking may also petition.

Petitions to stay the exemption and formal notices of intent to make an offer of financial assistance are due Jan. 2, 2026. Petitions to reopen and requests for public use conditions are due Jan. 12, 2026.

A draft Environmental Assessment is scheduled for release by Dec. 29, after which comments on environmental and historic preservation issues will be due within 15 days. Environmental or historic conditions, along with any public use or trail use conditions, may be imposed in a later decision.

If the Board ultimately authorizes the move, Norfolk Southern must file a notice of consummation to finalize the abandonment.