---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 24202"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "24202"
heading: "Railroad rights-of-way"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/24202"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Rail Programs"
  - "Part C — Passenger Transportation"
  - "Chapter 242 — Project Delivery"
---

# §24202. Railroad rights-of-way

- (a) **In General.—** Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, the [Secretary](/usc/49/22401.md?p=14) shall submit a proposed exemption of [railroad](/usc/49/22401.md?p=12) rights-of-way from the review under [section 306108 of title 54](/usc/54/306108.md) to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation for consideration, consistent with the exemption for interstate highways approved on March 10, 2005 (70 Fed. Reg. 11,928).
- (b) **Final Exemption.—** Not later than 180 days after the date on which the [Secretary](/usc/49/22401.md?p=14) submits the proposed exemption under [subsection (a)](#a) to the Council, the Council shall issue a final exemption of [railroad](/usc/49/22401.md?p=12) rights-of-way from review under [chapter 3061](/usc/54/chstIII/dA/sd5/ch3061.md) of title 54 consistent with the exemption for interstate highways approved on March 10, 2005 (70 Fed. Reg. 11,928).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title XI, § 11504(a), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1692.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, referred to in subsec. (a), is the date of enactment of title XI of div. A of Pub. L. 114–94, which was approved Dec. 4, 2015.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as an Effective Date of 2015 Amendment note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.