Comment EI-4884
Received or sent (printed as 2/2/2008)
I am in total opposition to the Canadian National Railway and Grand Trunk Corporation (together, CN) acquiring the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway. I live in Aurora, IL, and between Aurora, Naperville and Plainfield alone there are nearly 350,000 residents. Aurora and Naperville are the 2nd and 3rd largest cities in the state of Illinois. It deeply concerns me that the sale of the EJ&E would result in such a large volume of train traffic through such a populated area. What kinds of cargo would these trains carry? As residents, we don't know, as a Chemist by profession, the possibilities terrify me. Increased train traffic has many negative effects: it increases the possibility of community exposure to unknown hazards, it drives away wildlife that makes its' home in the surrounding area, and yes, it would make this area less desirable for humans too. Already suffering from traffic congestion, these towns are still growing. Adding a couple dozen trains a day on tracks that run right down the line separating the 2nd and 3rd largest cities in Illinois would be disasterous to the residents trying to go about their daily lives. I live less than 1 mile from a crossing, but I would have to travel more than 6 miles to find a place to cross at an underpass should there ever be an issue. Property values in this area would plummet. My family has lived in this town since 1998, and honestly, if this sale takes place, I would seriously consider selling my house and moving from this area entirely. I live ~1/2mile from a crossing, and the noise and traffic interruptions from the trains currently run on these tracks is tolerable. However, increasing it by such a large amount would virtually cut my family off from activity on the other side of the tracks. Both my husband and I must cross multiple times a day just coming and going from work, to get to the grocery store, or to a major highway. I urge you, please do not underestimate the vast and horrible impact on both people and the environment when considering this sale. Respectfully, Karen Harriman
Submitted by: Karen Harriman · Aurora, 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-4884 · back to the docket sheet