Norfolk Southern to Abandon 7-Mile Ohio Rail Line Next Month
Published Date: 6/25/2025
Notice
Summary
Norfolk Southern Railway and Cleveland & Cuyahoga Railway are stopping service and abandoning a 7-mile rail line in Cuyahoga, Geauga, and Portage Counties, Ohio, because no trains have run there for over two years. This change affects local communities in zip codes 44139, 44023, and 44202, with the shutdown set for July 25, 2025, unless someone steps in to save the line. Employees impacted by this will get protections, and there’s a chance for others to offer financial help or request trail use before deadlines.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Worker Protections for Affected Employees
Employees who are adversely affected by the abandonment or discontinuance will be protected under the Oregon Short Line precedent (360 I.C.C. 91 (1979)). A petition for partial revocation under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) can be filed to challenge whether those protections are adequate.
7-mile Rail Line Abandonment in Ohio
Norfolk Southern and Cleveland & Cuyahoga plan to abandon and stop service on an approximately 7.0-mile rail line between milepost RH 15.0 and RH 22.0 that runs through zip codes 44139, 44023, and 44202. The exemptions are slated to take effect on July 25, 2025, unless someone files an offer of financial assistance or a successful stay is granted.
Chance to Buy or Bank Line (OFA/Trail Use)
Interested parties can submit a formal expression of intent to file an Offer of Financial Assistance (OFA) or request interim trail use/railbanking for the 7.0-mile Line. Formal expressions of intent and trail use/railbanking requests must be filed by July 7, 2025, and OFAs must indicate the type of financial assistance (subsidy or purchase) and preliminary financial responsibility.
Environmental and Historic Review Timeline
Norfolk Southern filed a combined environmental and historic report and the Board's Office of Environmental Analysis will issue a Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) by June 30, 2025. Comments on environmental and historic preservation matters must be filed within 15 days after the Draft EA becomes available.
Deadlines to Seek a Stay or Reopen Decision
Petitions to stay (not involving environmental issues) must be filed by July 3, 2025. Petitions to reopen or requests for public use conditions must be filed by July 15, 2025. These deadlines apply to parties seeking to delay or change the abandonment decision.
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