The state of Ohio is seeking after-the-fact federal authority to acquire a 43.2-mile rail line between North Warren and Ashtabula, more than four decades after the line came under state ownership.
The state filed a verified notice of exemption with the Surface Transportation Board covering USRA Line No. 714, which extends from milepost 81.1 near North Warren to milepost 124.3 near Ashtabula.
According to the filing, the line was originally part of the Pennsylvania Railroad and later Penn Central Transportation Co. The Ohio Rail Transportation Authority acquired the line in 1981, with title registered in the name of the state.
The Ohio Rail Development Commission, a successor to ORTA, currently preserves and maintains the line for Ohio.
Neither ORTA nor the state obtained authority from the Interstate Commerce Commission at the time of the acquisition. In a March 30 decision, the STB directed ORDC to seek after-the-fact authority for the acquisition or explain why such authority was not required.
Ohio told the board the acquisition does not involve an interchange commitment. The state also said projected annual revenues tied to the transaction are not expected to exceed the threshold for a Class III rail carrier.
The exemption is scheduled to become effective on July 29, which is the earliest date on which the transaction may be consummated.
Petitions to stay the exemption are due by July 22. Petitions to revoke may be filed at any time, though filing such a petition does not automatically delay the exemption.
The state said the action is categorically excluded from environmental review and historic preservation reporting requirements.
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