Comment EI-14101
Received or sent (printed as 9/30/2008)
Please do not approve the proposed CN acquisition of the EJ&E. Temporarily shifting a rail transportation problem from one location to another does nothing to solve the problem. It only delays the needed solution to the problem. The towns and people along CN's present route understandably seek relief, but they must be kidding themselves to believe CN's spin and not realize that the existing route will once again grow just as congested with new freight traffic that will fill the temporary void. A comprehensive and regional plan is necessary, something CN wasn't interested in when it was no longer in their selfish interest. Diverting 15-20 freight trains a day onto the EJ&E makes no sense, it only increases CN's profits at the expense of the American taxpayers. Think of the effects of having all of the railroad crossings in our community blocked for 5-10 minutes each time, 15-20 times a day, every day! public safety - the police, fire dept., and ambulances will be blocked by down railroad crossing gates and unable to respond to emergencies public health - more fatal accidents" of freight trains hitting cars and pedestrians (especially kids) traffic and school transportation issues - much longer commutes to work, school and shopping environmental issues – noise, vibrations, threat to municipal water supply from toxic spills, tremendous increases in vehicular exhaust and wasted gasoline/diesel caused by engines idling at down crossing gates Decreased property values - And then there is this - Canadian National expects us to pay the hundreds of millions of dollars it will take to build bridges and underpasses over and under their railroad crossings. Canadian National is the poster child for poor rail safety practices. No other railroad in Canada was subject to a government audit. No other railroad in Canada has been accused by its government of "creating a climate of fear" when it comes to how it treats employees who dare to bring up safety-related problems with management. Canadian National talks a good game about working with affected communities and being willing to pay their "fair share" of mitigating requirements, but by their own actions the CN has proven that they cannot be taken at the word. The CN's attempts to bully everyone in their way, including the STB, should serve as a warning to all involved. Canadian National cannot be trusted. Canadian National is a bad neighbor. Canadian National must be forced to pay for all of the mitigating requirements (including all of the overpasses and underpasses) or CN's proposed acquisition of the EJ&E must be denied. Thank you for your time and consideration."
Submitted by: Patricia Fabri-Wall
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-14101 · back to the docket sheet