US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

49 U.S.C. § 11103

Switch connections and tracks

(a)
On application of the owner of a lateral branch line of railroad, or of a shipper tendering interstate traffic for transportation, a rail carrier providing transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Board under this part shall construct, maintain, and operate, on reasonable conditions, a switch connection to connect that branch line or private side track with its railroad and shall furnish cars to move that traffic to the best of its ability without discrimination in favor of or against the shipper when the connection—
(1)
is reasonably practicable;
(2)
can be made safely; and
(3)
will furnish sufficient business to justify its construction and maintenance.
(b)
section 11701 of this title If a rail carrier fails to install and operate a switch connection after application is made under subsection (a) of this section, the owner of the lateral branch line of railroad or the shipper may file a complaint with the Board under . The Board shall investigate the complaint and decide the safety, practicability, justification, and compensation to be paid for the connection. The Board may direct the rail carrier to comply with subsection (a) of this section only after a full hearing.

Pub. L. 104–88, title I, § 102(a)109 Stat. 831(Added , , .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

section 11104 of this titlePub. L. 104–88, § 102(a)Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in prior to the general amendment of this subtitle by .

Pub. L. 104–88, § 102(a)Prior sections 11103 to 11111 were omitted in the general amendment of this subtitle by .

Pub. L. 95–47392 Stat. 1419Pub. L. 96–448, title II, § 22394 Stat. 1929section 11102 of this titleSection 11103, , , ; , , , related to use of terminal facilities. See .

Pub. L. 95–47392 Stat. 1420section 11103 of this titleSection 11104, , , , related to switch connections and tracks. See .

Pub. L. 95–47392 Stat. 1420Section 11105, , , , related to protective services.

Pub. L. 95–47392 Stat. 1420Section 11106, , , , related to identification of motor vehicles.

Pub. L. 95–47392 Stat. 1420Pub. L. 96–296, § 15(d)94 Stat. 809section 14102 of this titleSection 11107, , , ; , , , related to leased motor vehicles. See .

Pub. L. 95–47392 Stat. 1421Section 11108, , , , related to water carriers subject to unreasonable discrimination in foreign transportation.

Pub. L. 96–296, § 15(a)(1)94 Stat. 808section 14103 of this titleSection 11109, added , , , related to loading and unloading motor vehicles. See .

Pub. L. 96–454, § 6(a)(1)94 Stat. 2015section 14104 of this titleSection 11110, added , , , related to household goods carrier operations. See .

Pub. L. 97–261, § 25(d)(1)96 Stat. 1125Section 11111, added , , , related to use of citizen band radios on buses.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 104–88section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88section 1301 of this titleSection effective , except as otherwise provided in , see , set out as a note under .