Comment EI-4487
Received or sent (printed as 1/27/2008)
I have several concerns re: FD #35087. I am writing to express concern over CN's acquisition of EJ&E rail lines, planned construction and increased operations in the suburbs west and south of Chicago. It is my understanding that CN plans to operate 15-27 additional trains through this suburban area as well as construct six new rail connections and approximately 19 miles of new sidings/double track. The negative impacts to the communities located along this proposed route are substantial. My concerns include the following: 1)Safety – The increased rail traffic will have many negative safety impacts with the increase in at-grade crossing accident probability. Hundreds of high schoolers must cross these tracks to get to school. Also the increase in transport of hazardous materials and potential for derailment. Of particular concern is Peterson Elementary School located next to the tracks near 103rd street in South Naperville as well as two middle school within a 3 mile radious of these tracks. 2)Noise and Vibration – There are sensitive receptors immediately adjacent to the right of way including hospitals, schools and residences. Audible warning system bells would be a near constant in this area with crossings at 111th street and 103rd street. With the school’s proximity to the tracks, as well as its location between two crossings, the number of trains crossing throughout the school day would create noise and vibration levels that would clearly disrupt concentration of the above mentioned schools. 3)Traffic – In the Aurora/South Naperville/ Plainfield area, if we assume an additional 25 freight trains with each taking 5 minutes to pass, this would account for more than 2 hours wait time, in a 24 hour period, at crossings. The delays caused by the freight trains will have a detrimental impact on land uses, the ability to transport students to and from school in a safe and timely fashion, and the ability for emergency response vehicles to cross. 4)Air quality – For many segments of the rail line, train traffic will be increasing by 10, 20 or 30 trains a day, indeed, the final number is unpredictable. The emissions from railroad operations as well as vehicle delays will clearly have a negative impact on air quality in a nonattainment area. Concern with the children on playgrounds and playing fields during/after school hours. I feel the residents of Naperville, IL have not been properly educated on these concerns. Attached I have requested, through Ms. Quinlan, an extension of the Feb. 1 deadline date for public comment as well as a request for a Public Scoping Meeting in Naperville. Naperville and surrounding areas need to be better educated on what lies ahead. Thank you!
Submitted by: Diana Thompson · Naperville, 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-4487
File docketyard.org/document/dbef3eec813db86d08eb51911e6edde39afee5df81f2fd086b67c61a8a7ded67.bin · back to the docket sheet