Comment EI-13853
Received or sent (printed as 9/29/2008)
I am writing these comments to voice my strong opposition to the Canadian National Railway Corporation’s attempt to acquire the Elgin Joliet & Eastern (EJ&E) Railway. This acquisition would have a significant negative impact on many communities along the rail line of travel. According to the Canadian National Railway Corporation's own estimates, over the next three years rail traffic will increase from an average of sixteen (16) trains per day to an average of forty-two (42) trains per day. In addition, Canadian National Railway Corporation also indicates their freight trains will run up to nearly two miles in length (10,000 feet). This increased number of longer trains running through our neighborhoods will result in more accidents, dangerously longer response times for Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Teams (EMT), an increase in traffic gridlock at rail crossings, and elevated pollution and noise levels. In addition, it will adversely impact property values. Furthermore, recent studies by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has revealed that a potential overcrowding of the EJ&E lines will also interfere with commuter Metropolitan Rail (METRA) trains, affecting people’s ability to get to and from their workplaces in a timely manner. In conclusion, I can only hope the STB will review the evidence presented and reject Canadian National Railway Corporation's application to acquire the EJ&E, thus keeping the special interests of Big Rail from outweighing the interests of Main Street American communities. Thank you.
Submitted by: Craig A. Cady · Joliet, 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-13853 · back to the docket sheet