Comment EI-13192
Received or sent (printed as 9/24/2008)
Please allow me to share Senator Durbin's comments. These are the concerns of our entire community. It is clear that this acquisition would have a dramatic impact on the Chicago region for years to come. If the purchase goes through, there will be a 400 percent increase in rail traffic along the EJ&E line, which cuts through many suburban Chicago communities. To date, Canadian National has not demonstrated a willingness to meet the needs of the communities along the EJ&E line, provide long-term commitments to the region, or guarantee full cooperation with the proposed STAR Line and current Amtrak service. Residents in the suburban areas that will be directly affected by the sale have expressed concerns that the sale will lead to increased air and noise pollution, traffic gridlock as the number of passing trains increases, and a drop in the property value of nearby homes. Joined by other members of the Illinois Congressional delegation, I met with Canadian National Railroad President E. Hunter Harrison to seek further details of the proposal. Mr. Harrison explained why the transaction would be good for CN's business, but he was indifferent to the potential burden on suburban communities in terms of traffic, safety issues, quality of life, and the undue tax burden associated with supporting this private transaction." You CAN NOT allow this to happen. We ask for your support in this decision. Thank you. Jan Hewitt"
Submitted by: Janice Hewitt
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-13192 · back to the docket sheet