Comment EI-14016
Received or sent (printed as 9/30/2008)
In light of the torrential/flooding rains that occurred in the Chicago area on Sept. 12, 13, and 14th, I am compelled to write this comment. I live approximately 150 feet from the train tracks. After these rains, for a week to 10 days, every train that traveled these tracks traveled at literally 5 mph, you could walk faster than they were traveling. My husband walked up to the tracks and when he stood on one end of a railroad tie, the other end lifted up off of the ground--he weighs approx. 180. One could only assume that the ground saturation compromised the safety of the tracks and therefore the trains could not safely travel at even close to their normal speeds. This area should clearly be looked into since CN is proposing to use much heavier trains and many more of them. If these tracks are unsafe in heavy rain conditions, one can only imagine what disaster lies ahead if CN takes over (their track record when it comes to safety is poor at best). I can't believe that we, as Americans, are even considering allowing a foreign company to do this. If these train tracks didn't exist today and someone was proposing this, it would never legally be permitted, so why would we even consider allowing it today. Also, in light of the recent financial crisis in America, tax payers will be burdened significantly by this proposed bailout plan and clearly don't need to be burdened with higher taxes that will certainly result from CN's refusal to pay the necessary remediation.
Submitted by: Dawn Steinman · Frankfort, 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-14016 · back to the docket sheet