Comment EI-4856
Received or sent (printed as 1/31/2008)
I am writing you as a concerned resident of the Village of Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The proposed acquisition of the EJ&E railroad by Canadian National and its projected increase in freight traffic will negatively impact my daily life. I urge you to thoroughly evaluate all environmental issues that affect Village of Hoffman Estates residents when you consider the acquisition by Canadian National. I would like to commend the Surface Transportation Board for soliciting public input for the Environmental Impact Statement, and the following details a summary of issues important to me as a resident of the Village of Hoffman Estates. Locally in the Village of Hoffman Estates, the EJ&E tracks run adjacent to residential neighborhoods, a community park, and a forest preserve. All of these amenities are an important reason why I originally moved to the Village. Please consider the effects of the freight traffic on noise and vibrations (especially for night time operations), air quality, emissions, impacts to area wildlife, for residents who live in these neighborhoods or use the parks or forest preserve. I am also concerned about safety at the at-grade crossing of the EJ&E railroad tracks at Shoe Factory Road, which is an important east/west link for the Village. The road is used by residents, businesses, school buses and emergency vehicles. There is a trail crossing at this location that is used by bicycles and pedestrians. The congestion, fuel consumption, and safety impacts to these users should be considered during your evaluation. Finally, I would ask you consider the effects of this acquisition farther in the future, including its implications to the proposed future STAR Line commuter rail. The information provided by the Canadian National is only for the next three years. As a resident who plans to live in the Village for a much longer time, it’s important to me what will happen in the next ten to twenty years.
Submitted by: Bill Densmore · 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-4856 · back to the docket sheet