Notice2026-08462

Mesabi Railroad LLC-Operation Exemption-Itasca County Regional Railroad Authority

Primary source

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Published
May 1, 2026

Issuing agencies

Surface Transportation Board

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 84 (Friday, May 1, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 84 (Friday, May 1, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 23525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08462]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. FD 36920]


Mesabi Railroad LLC--Operation Exemption--Itasca County Regional 
Railroad Authority

    Mesabi Railroad LLC (Mesabi Railroad), a noncarrier, has filed a 
verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 to operate a rail 
line in Itasca County, Minn. (the Line) and associated sidetracks. The 
Line is owned by the Itasca County Regional Railroad Authority (ICRRA) 
and runs approximately 6 miles from a connection with an existing rail 
line co-owned by BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) and Canadian National 
Railway Company (CN) at Taconite, Minn. The Line has no mileposts.
    The verified notice states that ICRRA and Mesabi Railroad plan to 
enter into a rail use and operations agreement (the Agreement) 
requiring Mesabi Railroad to provide common carrier rail service over 
the Line. The Agreement will also allow Mesabi Railroad to use the 
associated sidetracks. Mesabi Railroad anticipates commencing common 
carrier service over the Line on or after May 17, 2026.
    Mesabi Railroad certifies that the transaction will not involve an 
interchange commitment. Mesabi Railroad also certifies that its 
projected annual revenues resulting from the transaction will not 
result in the creation of a Class II or Class I rail carrier and will 
not exceed $5 million.
    The earliest this transaction may be consummated is May 17, 2026, 
the effective date of the exemption (30 days after the verified notice 
was filed).
    If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, 
the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption 
under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a 
petition to revoke will not automatically stay the effectiveness of the 
exemption. Petitions for stay must be filed no later than May 8, 2026 
(at least seven days before the exemption becomes effective).
    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36920, must be filed with 
the Surface Transportation Board either via e-filing on the Board's 
website or in writing addressed to 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 
20423-0001. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on 
Mesabi Railroad's representative, Jason Tutrone, Thompson Hine LLP, 
1919 M St. NW, Ste. 700, Washington, DC 20036.
    According to Mesabi Railroad, this action is categorically excluded 
from environmental review under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and from historic 
preservation reporting requirements under 49 CFR 1105.8(b).
    Board decisions and notices are available at <a href="http://www.stb.gov">www.stb.gov</a>.

    Decided: April 27, 2026.

    By the Board, Anika S. Cooper, Chief Counsel, Office of Chief 
Counsel.
Aretha Laws-Byrum,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2026-08462 Filed 4-30-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on May 1, 2026.

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