Comment EI-14046
Received or sent (printed as 9/30/2008)
I am contacting STB to add my comments to those you have already received regarding the sale and use of EJ&E Railroad and tracks in Illinois between Waukegan and Joliet in Illinois. As indicated in your EIS study, this sale to a foreign company which seems to have no regard for the communities which will be disrupted beyond reasonable repair, should not be allowed without written and firm contracted commitment by Canadian National (CN)to be fully financially responsible for any abatement issues caused by their purchase and use of these tracks and facilities. CN has clearly demonstrated in their own country (as well as their dealings with other U.S. entities (Wisconsin) that they cannot be trusted. There are so many issues from safety, to envirommental to financial, that it is difficult to understand why STB would even allow this proposed sale to even get this far. CN could not care less whether traffic is brought to a stand still here in Barrington, and emergency vehicles wait for mile long trains, blocking three to four major (for this area) roadways on the way to Hospitals. A highschool of 3,000 students will be blocked at times from police, fire and rescue. Property values will suffer and taxes to support our infrastructure will decrease. Insurance rates will increase as insurance companies re evaluate their risk. For all of the above issues and many more will be forced on US citizens so that CN can move freight more efficiently through Illinois, with out stopping, on its way Memphis, TN. I understand that CN wants EJ&E to help the port of Prince Rupert (Canada). I further understand that this will take business from the ports of Seattle (US), San Francisco (US), Los Angeles (US). Where is the upside for anyone in the US for this Sale to happen? CN has indicated that Chicago and other closer in suburbs would see a substancial reduction in traffic through their towns. But will they ? CN won't put it in writing !! CN has already demonstrated in the US as well as their own country of origin, that THEIR WORD CANNOT BE TRUSTED. Please reject this sale for all of the reasons above. Harry & Pat Tichnor, Barrington, IL.
Submitted by: Harry Tichnor · Barrington, Illinois
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-14046 · back to the docket sheet