Comment EI-4909
Received or sent (printed as 2/3/2008)
Reference Docket No. 35087 I oppose the proposed acquisition by CNR of the EJ&E Railway for many, many reasons. First is safety concerns. Adding even one additional train increases congestion and prohibits crossing of the tracks for the duration it takes the train to pass. This restricts the access of emergency service providers during emergencies, such as ambulances, the fire department, and the police. Such delays will, without question, increase the potential for loss of life and other personal harm, as well as damage and loss of property due to inhibiting the free passage of emergency vehicles and crews. The second element of safety concern is the propensity for an increase in injuries and loss of life due to an increase in train traffic. The second concern is the overall economic impact of an increase in traffic congestion. Few will dispute that the vast majority of people regard the noise from passing trains as disruptive and undesireable. Few people will disagree that an increase in traffic congestion is undesireable. Few people will disagree that an increase in traffic congestion deteriorates the appeal of working, traveling, shopping, and generally, living in a particular community. An increase of a mere ONE train a day will increase traffic congestion and reduce overall quality of life. No sane person will argue that the addition of even a single freight train per YEAR will increase quality of life, and therefore, the desireability of living in a particular community. The total and comprehensive harm wrought upon the neighboring communities of the EJ&E railway by the proposed EXPONENTIAL increase in freight traffic would, in a word, be catastrophic. Any one who inhabits, or travels through these communities should oppose this acquisition with every cell in their body. The following are GUARANTEED by this aquisition and the accompanying increase in freight traffic: *Increase in loss of life *Increase in bodily harm *Increase in loss to property *Increase in noise pollution *Increase in deadly diesel particulate pollution *Increase in pollution of land and water habitats *Increase in traffic congestion *Decrease in overall retail activity in neighboring communities, related to increase in traffic congestion *Decrease in overall economic output, caused by an increase in traffic congestion *Increase in stress, caused by increases in traffic congestion *Decline in property values, caused by a deterioration of the appeal of congested communities *Decline in local and state tax receipts, related to a decline of economic activity *Decline in local property tax receipts, related to a decline in property values *Deterioration of health, caused by an increase of noise pollution during sleeping/resting hours *Increase in health costs, related to increased pollution, increased stress, and increased disruption of sleep and rest I oppose such an aquisition, motivated by Canadian National Railway's desire to increase freight traffic over the EJ&E lines. I oppose such an aquisition with every cell in my body. If the aquisition is successful, the consequences of the dramatic increase in freight traffic will cause my family and I to give serious thought to moving out of our Barrington community. Please block this aquisition. Nothing can possibly compensate for the consequent harm and destruction. Most sincerely, Rhett Gustafson Barrington, IL
Submitted by: Rhett Gustafson · Barrington, 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-4909 · back to the docket sheet