Comment EI-4706
Received or sent (printed as 1/29/2008)
Dear Ms. Phillis Johnson-Ball, My comments are in regard to the proposed aquisition of EJ & E Railroad by Canadian National Railroad. Four years ago we purchased our home which is within 150 ft of the EJ & E Rail Line. I researched the amount of freight traffic that we could expect daily. We were told by several sources, including EJ & E, that approximately 4-5 freight trains would run per day. The train traffic has not been an issue because of the infrequency. We have enjoyed living here. The proposed freight train traffic would increase from 4-5 trains a day to 20+ trains per day. This would mean almost constant train traffic close to my property. Below are the negative effects this increase in train traffic would have on my family and others in the community: 1) I expect that the value of my home and others will be negatively effected. I believe the decrease in value will be substantial and therefore a hardship on those who live near the train. 2) Air and noise pollution will increase dramatically. Instead of hearing the chirping of birds in the preserved wetlands areas, we will hear the neverending noise of freight trains, and will wonder what happened to the wildlife that use to live in the wetlands before the dramatic increase in train traffic. 3) Dimished Quality of life. Nonending train traffic will have a negative impact on the quality of life. Being outdoors in my backyard will not be a pleasent experience. What about sleep deprevation? How many of these trains will come in the middle of the night? 4) Safety issues. I have read that in 2004 alone Canadian National had 72 freight train derailments. It is my understanding that Canadian National has a deplorable safety record. The increase in train traffic will pose a severe safety hazard, not only for our children but for other children in the neighborhood whose propery touch the train easement. 5) The increase in train traffic will have a horrific impact on congestion in the area. The aquistion of EJ & E rail line and subsequent increase in freight train traffic will have a negative impact on communities which surround it. US citizens lives will be destroyed for the profit of a Canadian company. Sincerly, Diane & William Yambor
Submitted by: Diane Yambor · Long Grove, 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-4706 · back to the docket sheet