# CSX Transportation, Inc.—Discontinuance of Service Exemption—in Robeson and Bladen Counties, N.C.
CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR part 1152 subpart F— *Exempt Abandonments and Discontinuances of Service* to discontinue service over an approximately 21.72-mile rail line on its Southeast Division, Wilmington Subdivision from milepost SEA 297.61 to milepost SEA 311.19 and milepost SEB 311.19 to milepost SEB 319.33 in Robeson and Bladen Counties, N.C. (the Line). [^1] The Line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 28384, 28306, and 28358.
[^1] On December 5, 2025, CSXT filed errata to its verified notice of exemption.
CSXT has certified that: (1) no local traffic has moved over the Line for at least two years; (2) any overhead traffic can be and has been rerouted over other lines; (3) no formal complaint filed by a user of rail service on the Line (or a state or local government entity acting on behalf of such user) regarding cessation of service over the Line either is pending with the Surface Transportation Board or any U.S. District Court or has been decided in favor of a complainant within the two-year period; and (4) the requirements at 49 CFR 1105.12 (newspaper publication) and 49 CFR 1152.50(d)(1) (notice to governmental agencies) have been met.
As a condition to this exemption, any employee adversely affected by the discontinuance of service shall be protected under *Oregon Short Line Railroad—Abandonment Portion Goshen Branch Between Firth & Ammon, in Bingham & Bonneville Counties, Idaho,* 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979). To address whether this condition adequately protects affected employees, a petition for partial revocation under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) must be filed.
Provided no formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance (OFA) [^2] to subsidize continued rail service has been received, this exemption will be effective on January 12, 2026, unless stayed pending reconsideration. Petitions to stay that do not involve environmental issues and formal expressions of intent to file an OFA to subsidize continued rail service under 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(2) [^3] must be filed by December 22, 2025. [^4] Petitions for reconsideration must be filed by January 2, 2026.
[^2] Persons interested in submitting an OFA to subsidize continued rail service must first file a formal expression of intent to file an offer, indicating the intent to file an OFA for subsidy and demonstrating that they are preliminarily financially responsible. *See* 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(2)(i).
[^3] The filing fee for OFAs can be found at 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
[^4] Because this is a discontinuance proceeding and not an abandonment, interim trail use/railbanking and public use conditions are not appropriate. Because there will be an environmental review during abandonment, this discontinuance does not require environmental review.
All pleadings, referring to Docket No. AB 55 (Sub-No. 822X), 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. A copy of each pleading filed with the Board must be sent to CSXT's representative, Louis E. Gitomer, Law Offices of Louis E. Gitomer, LLC, 600 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 301, Towson, MD 21204.
If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void ab initio.
Board decisions and notices are available at *www.stb.gov.*
By the Board, Anika S. Cooper, Chief Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel.
Decided: December 9, 2025.
Regena Smith-Bernard,
Clearance Clerk.