Comment EI-18001
Received or sent (printed as 12/16/2009)
STB Board: as a resident of Shorewood, IL, I live in a subdivision (Estate of Hidden Creek) that is a planned development that borders the EJ&E spur near Joliet, IL, which swings north towards Plainfield, IL. As such, the increase rail traffic has been noticeable and somewhat alarming in two respects. One, the frequency of trains has brought additional noise" with train whistles because no track safety-upgrade was done at road crossing near the subdivision; and Two, not really a "quiet zone" issue but more of train scheduling. The increase frequency of trains and our subdivision's proximity to tracks has raised the issues of a)train speed along track, which causes noticeable vibrations of housing, and b) need for better scheduling, which has been as early as 3am along this leg of track going North or South. This impact on quality of sleep has been the more annoying. Indeed quiet zoning is needed because most communities are "bedroom" hamlets in small or mid-size villages, but some study needs also to looked at for installation of "sound buffers" or regulating train speed in residential areas, particular where established subdivisions or planned subdivisions border the track placement. I would hope that an evaluation of train speeds, scheduling and needed safety upgrades are continuing to be assessed for improving the quality of life of the communities involved, while helping commerce. Thanks for establishing this mechanism to track the impact of this effective use of freight tracks in Chicago Metro area. Sincerely, Michael R. Williams US Treasury (Retired) Shorewood, IL"
Submitted by: Michael R Williams
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-18001 · back to the docket sheet