Comment EI-4675
Received or sent (printed as 1/29/2008)
I am very concerned about the potential sale of E,J&E Railway Company to Canadian National Railway. I understand that CN is being asked to perform an Environemntal Study as a prerequisite before this issue is decided upon. The following are my concerns regarding this sale and its environmental / social impacts to my community: 1.Safety: With a potential increase of 3 - 4 times the number of trains on these tracks, there will be 3 - 4 times the opportunities for accidents at the major intersections near my house. those intersections include: Wolfs Crossing, 111th St, 119th St in South Naperville / North Plainfield. 2.Safety: There is a brand new High School (Plainfield North)at 119th and 248th. The volume of adolescence driving in this area is dramatically increased. Adding 3 - 4 more trains per day to this area coudl be catastrophic. 3.Safety: These trains will be carying hazardous materials. There will be 3 - 4 times more potential for a tragic, dangerous incident in my community. 4.Education: These tracks travel past several schools (Plainfield North to name one). Each time these trains travel past these schools it will be disruptive. Increasing the number of trains will greatly reduce the quality of education all along these tracks. 5.Noise: These trains cause an elevated level of noise. Increasing the number of trains will make this situation unbearable. Some trains already do not abide by the no whistle" zone in our area. 6.Structure: there is excessive vibration from these trains. Increasing the number of trains could cause structural concreans for all nearby structures. 7.Traffic. These tracks cross several main streets (Ogden for one). Increasing train volume will cause horrible traffic delays. Potentially including saftey and emergency vehicles. 8.Air Quality:with such a dramatic increase in train traffic, the emissions from railroad operations will negatively impact air quality, potentially leading to respiratory issues in teh community. 9.Home Value: My property value will drop as a result of this sale Believe me, I am a business persona and understand the value of offering a more efficient route around Chicago. However, this seems to be all in favor of CN and the value that they will receive with no regard to the communities that it will destroy. Please insist upon a stringent environmental (and social) study and closely take this into account before making any decision on this potentially tragic decision. At a minimum the study needs to include the affects of: Noise Pllution, Air Pollution, Vibration, Hazardous waste, wildlife affects, soil contamination and traffic / emergency vehicle flows. Thank You."
Submitted by: Tom Lindley
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-4675 · back to the docket sheet