Proposed abandonment of Norfolk Southern rail line and Iowa Interstate service in Polk County, Iowa
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
Starts federal review of a request to end rail service on about 13 miles of track in Polk County, Iowa, including a 12.2-mile line and the 0.8-mile Clive Spur. Norfolk Southern wants to abandon the line, and Iowa Interstate wants to end its lease and operations, saying traffic and revenue no longer cover service and maintenance costs. Local shippers, employees, cities, county conservation officials, trail groups, and potential buyers or subsidy providers should watch the deadlines. Expressions of interest to fund continued service are due May 14, 2026; public use or trail-use requests are due May 22, 2026; replies to the petition are due May 26, 2026; and a final Board decision is expected by July 31, 2026.
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Key Changes
- Opens federal review of Norfolk Southern’s request to abandon about 13 miles of rail line in Polk County, Iowa.
- Opens review of Iowa Interstate’s request to end its lease and rail operations on the same line.
- Sets filing deadlines for parties that want to fund continued service, seek public use or trail use, or respond to the petition.
Obligations
What this law requires
Any person intending to submit an offer of financial assistance to subsidize or purchase the rail line must first file a formal expression of intent stating the type of assistance and demonstrating preliminary financial responsibility.
Any offer of financial assistance must be filed no later than 120 days after the petition was filed, or 10 days after service of a decision granting the exemption, whichever occurs sooner.
Any request for a public use condition or for interim trail use/rail banking must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board.
All pleadings must refer to Docket No. AB 290 (Sub-No. 424X) or Docket No. AB 414 (Sub-No. 9X) and must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board either through the Board’s e-filing system or in writing at 395 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20423-0001.
A copy of each pleading filed with the Surface Transportation Board must be served on NSR’s representative, William A. Mullins, and IAIS’s representative, Onna B. Houck, at the addresses specified in the notice.