Okla., BIA Petition STB to Allow Emergency Operator for Blackwell Subdivision
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
Wikimedia Commons/Matthew Zisi
The State of Oklahoma, by and through the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), and the Blackwell Industrial Authority (BIA) have petitioned the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for an emergency order allowing the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, LLC (Rock Island) to provide local rail service on the Blackwell Subdivision, 35.3 miles of rail lines owned by ODOT and BIA and leased to the Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad Company (BNGR).
The petition follows an emergency order issued by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Feb. 3 ordering BNGR, a Class III railroad headquartered in Blackwell, Okla., to “discontinue operation of all trains, locomotives and any other on-track rail vehicles or equipment under any circumstance,” stating that the short line is operating with “a complete disregard for the safety of the public.”
According to the filing, ODOT and BIA “do not believe that the issues identified by FRA are likely to be resolved in the near-term,” and have therefore provided notice to BNGR that they “intend to terminate the BNGR leaser under which the short line has been providing rail service on the Blackwell Subdivision.”
The petition for an emergency service order (download below) is supported by verified statements from BIA and impacted shippers Tensar International, LLC, the sole member of Tensar Corporation, LLC and A-Line T.D.S., Inc., “now forced to find alternative means of transportation via motor carriage, which is both more costly and less efficient.” Both shippers want restoration of rail service as quickly as possible.
ODOT and BIA request that Rock Island, a rail carrier and a short line holding company that controls two other Class III rail carriers, be granted authority to provide all (alternative) rail service on the Blackwell Subdivision for a period of not less than 30 days, commencing on March 1, 2024, or as soon as STB enters an order granting the petition, and continuing until a long-term operator has been identified and receives authority from STB.
Rock Island CEO President Riley, stated in a letter, that the company “has agreed with ODOT and BIA on the terms that it will cover its operation of the Blackwell Subdivision,” and is “committed to offering rail service under the petition for emergency services on the agreed upon terms.”
Rock Island’s operations will not commence until FRA has confirmed that it is qualified to operate on the rail lines.
