Comment EI-4851
Received or sent (printed as 1/31/2008)
I have many concerns regarding the purchase of EJ & J railroad by Canadian National. These tracks run through neighborhoods, in backyards, near parks and schools and through forest preserves. The increased freight traffic will disrupt all these areas and create a safety hazard. Safety issues: Increased time for fire trucks and emergency vehicles to arrive in our subdivision. My three children go over these tracks 2-4 times a day. The increase traffic increases the chance of an accident as well as delays their arrival to school or their return home. Trains frequently block the road at Shoe Factory. My child has sat on the bus for 15-20 minutes waiting for trains to pass. This back up causes accidents over the big hill; unsuspecting drivers rear end stopped vehicles. Tracks and crossing are not designed for the amount of trains. There are only a few locations of double tracks. Trains are forced to stop and wait for other trains to move to the double track for passing. These stopped trains block traffic. They stop with such force that my whole house shakes and vibrates. I am concerned with the transportation of hazardous materials. My children play on their swing set within 50 feet of the tracks. I am concerned about the safety of the wildlife that lives along the tracks. I can see deer from my back windows. The increase from 5-25 trains a day is unacceptable and affects the quality of life of my family and neighbors. The purchase of these tracks should be stopped. Please consider its effects on the many, many people that live on the tracks, near the tracks, or travel over the tracks.
Submitted by: Kim Tomczyk · Hoffman Estates, 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-4851 · back to the docket sheet