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STB Authorizes Green Eagle Railroad 1.3-Mile Line in Maverick County, TX

The Surface Transportation Board authorized Green Eagle Railroad to construct and operate an approximately 1.3-mile rail line in Eagle Pass and Maverick County, Texas, as part of the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge project. The line will extend from the U.S.-Mexico border to connect with Union Pacific Railroad near UP's Eagle Pass Subdivision, routing rail and commercial motor vehicle traffic around the urban center of Eagle Pass. The Board approved the Southern Rail Alternative route subject to environmental mitigation conditions, and GER must file project status reports, including updates on negotiations with UP and BNSF, in six months and annually thereafter.

McDonough Power Cooperative v. BNSF Railway - Eminent Domain Approval Petition

McDonough Power Cooperative filed a petition with the Illinois Commerce Commission on April 10, 2026, seeking approval to exercise eminent domain against BNSF Railway Company. The cooperative states the acquisition is necessary to continue providing electric services to Western Illinois. The case is currently in initial pending status, with BNSF Railway named as the respondent.

Stipulated Agreement for Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Closure

BNSF Railway Company, the Township of Camp Point, and the State of Illinois Department of Transportation have filed a stipulated agreement with the Illinois Commerce Commission (Docket T2026-0017) for the permanent closure of the East 2250th Street highway-rail grade crossing. The crossing is designated as AAR/DOT #072581X at Railroad Milepost 241.46-LS11, located near Camp Point in Adams County, Illinois. The agreement is characterized as voluntary and intended to improve public safety. The case is currently in Initial Pending status, with no compliance deadline specified.

Inks Lake State Park Hosts Fourth Annual Fun for All Accessible Recreation Event on April 25

Inks Lake State Park will host the fourth annual Fun for All event on April 25, 2026, offering free adaptive recreational activities including kayaking, fishing, and demonstrations of specialized mobility equipment such as all-terrain track chairs from a mobile adaptive recreation trailer. The event is open to individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers with no registration required and free day-use park admission for the special event. Partners including the NextEra Energy Foundation, Jeanie Rabke Wyatt Family Foundation, BNSF Railway Foundation, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation funded the equipment trailer for statewide use.

Grainbelt Corporation Trackage Rights Exemption Extension - BNSF Railway

The Surface Transportation Board published a notice exempting Grainbelt Corporation from certain regulatory requirements to extend trackage rights on BNSF Railway between Long, Okla., and Quanah, Tex. The exemption extends the PCCA Trackage Rights until March 30, 2027. The exemption becomes effective April 30, 2026, with petitions to revoke due by April 23, 2026.

BNSF Railway 120 CFM Test Waiver Candidate Train List 2026 Q1

BNSF Railway Company submitted a candidate train list for the 120 CFM Test Waiver program covering 2026 Q1 to the Federal Railroad Administration docket. The submission includes an attachment with the consolidated list of candidate trains. The document was filed in FRA docket FRA-2022-0082.

Grainbelt Corp Seeks Trackage Rights Extension on BNSF Line in Oklahoma and Texas

The Surface Transportation Board granted Grainbelt Corporation (GNBC), a Class III rail carrier, an exemption to extend existing local trackage rights on BNSF Railway Company's line between Long, Oklahoma and Quanah, Texas. The exemption extends the PCCA Trackage Rights until March 30, 2027. The exemption may be consummated on or after April 30, 2026, unless a petition for stay is filed by April 23, 2026. Affected employees are protected under conditions from prior ICC decisions.

Cundy v. BNSF Railway Company - Court of Appeals Opinion

The Washington Court of Appeals Division III has filed an opinion in the case of Judy Cundy v. BNSF Railway Company, et al. The opinion was filed on March 5, 2026, under docket number 40095-6.

Illinois Commerce Commission Approves Rail Safety Upgrades

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved nearly $1 million for safety upgrades at three highway-rail crossings in Carroll and Ogle counties. The funding, from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund, will cover new automatic flashing light signals and gates, with BNSF Railway Company covering remaining costs and maintenance.

Apple King LLC v BNSF Railway Company - Property Ownership Ruling

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington granted in part BNSF Railway Company's motion for partial summary judgment in the case of Apple King, LLC v. BNSF Railway Company. The court also granted BNSF's motion to amend its reply memorandum.