CSX Ditches Dusty 7.5-Mile Rail Line in NJ and NY
Published Date: 4/17/2025
Notice
Summary
CSX Transportation is stopping train service on a 7.5-mile rail line between Bergen County, NJ, and Rockland County, NY, because no one’s used it for over two years. Local businesses and communities in those zip codes might feel the change, but any freight can still travel on other routes. If no one steps up to pay for keeping the line open by late April, the shutdown will start May 17, 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Rail Employees Protected by Employee‑Protective Conditions
Any CSX employee adversely affected by the discontinuance will be protected under the employee‑protective conditions from Oregon Short Line (360 I.C.C. 91 (1979)). A petition for partial revocation under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed to challenge whether these protections are adequate.
Deadline to Seek Subsidy (OFA) is April 28, 2025
Persons or entities that want to subsidize continued rail service must file a formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance (OFA) by April 28, 2025 and must demonstrate preliminary financial responsibility; if an OFA is not received, the discontinuance becomes effective on May 17, 2025. The OFA process references a filing fee in 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
7.51‑Mile Rail Line Service Ends May 17, 2025
CSX is discontinuing service on a 7.51-mile rail line between Bergen County, NJ and Rockland County, NY (milepost QRN 15.09 to QRN 22.6) that traverses ZIP codes 07670, 07626, 07627, 07624, 07648, 07647, and 10983. If no formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance (OFA) is received, the discontinuance will take effect on May 17, 2025; CSX says no local traffic has moved over the line for at least two years and any overhead traffic can be rerouted over other lines.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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