Comment EI-11985
Received or sent (printed as 9/17/2008)
By now you've heard from a number of concerned residents of the communities that would be affected by the proposed purchase of the EJ&E railroad by CN railroad. I cross the EJ&E twice each day to commute to work. Regardless of where I cross, I know that having two-mile long freight trains every hour would have a tremendous impact on the environment and the economy of the region. I also cross the CN/Wisconsin Central line twice each day as well and I know first-hand how much time it takes for a 110 car freight to pass. On some days up to 1,000 vehicles are prevented from crossing because the train simultaneously blocks IL Rt 22 and Deerfield Parkway, which are major routes. The blockage has gridlocked traffic for as much as 30 minutes. The North Central Metra trains stop traffic for 5 minutes (only 15 per day). In Barrington the Northwest Metra trains run 86 per day with a several Union Pacific freights. As you know, the Union Pacifc line crosses the EJ&E line. Add 20+ CN super freights which need to slow down to 20 mph and the entire central portion of town is gridlocked. This past summer the EJ&E closed US 14 for a couple weeks to make some upgrades to the crossing. The whole area was locked up such that passing through took up to 30 minutes compared to 5 minutes when it was open. We do not need to idle vehicles while the cost of fuel is at an all-time high and likely to go higher. Our nation expanded during the 19th century because of rail development; primarily for passengers. During the 20th century automobiles caused the expansion of our highway system which has become the standard mode of transportation. Railroads do not need to be subsidized by the public. The CN railroad is a multi-billion dollar foreign business that can pay for improving its system. However, the improvements needed to upgrade the EJ&E line to accommodate super freight trains are totally impractical for the region. Too many homes, businesses, and roadways would be affected. The public cannot afford to pay additional taxes to further enrich foreign entities. I urge the STB to deny the purchase of the EJ&E by CN.
Submitted by: Russell L. Friend · Cary, IL
The Board publishes this comment in its environmental-comment table for this proceeding. It is quoted here as printed; nothing is inferred from it, and it states the commenter's own position in their own words, not this record's.
Permanent address docketyard.org/d/FD-35087/comment/EI-11985 · back to the docket sheet