Comment EI-4978
Received or sent (printed as 2/7/2008)
As both an employee for and resident of the Village of Park Forest, I would like to comment on concerns related to increased traffic, noise. Increased Traffic – CN’s proposed purchase of the EJ&E Railway is projected to increase rail traffic on the Park Forest segment of the railroad by 400 percent, from approximately 8 trains per day to approximately 32 trains per day. In addition, there is proposed to be a switching yard in Matteson, immediately adjacent to the Village of Park Forest. The EJ&E has an at-grade crossing in Park Forest on Western Avenue (a State road) and an elevated crossing on Orchard Drive (a local street). Even today, it is not uncommon for trains for stop or slow considerably as they pass through Park Forest. This results in delays that often last for as much as 10-15 minutes. The proposed purchase will increase the number of trains, and therefore the number of times vehicle traffic is delayed due to trains moving through the Village. We believe it will also delay the duration of those delays as long trains maneuver the switching yard in Matteson and back-up onto the main tracks. Currently, vehicular traffic on Western Avenue seeks alternate routes to avoid the crossing in that location. This has significant negative impacts on the Village of Park Forest, our residents and businesses. Typically, southbound traffic on Western Avenue takes North Street through our Business Park, to Orchard Drive, and then to Westwood Drive back to Western Avenue. Northbound traffic on Western Avenue takes Westwood Drive to Orchard Drive, then east on North Street back to Western Avenue. North Street is a local street that runs through our Business Park. Increased exposure to the businesses in this area might be a positive result, but most of this traffic will not be interested in stopping to conduct business and it will simply delay the traffic that is seeking to patronize the businesses in this area. Westwood Drive is a residential street and the increased traffic on this street already has a negative impact. The significant increases in traffic caused by this purchase are of significant concern to the Village and my family as residents. Noise is my family's biggest concern. The track in question is right in my back yard. Finally, I do not offer any solution other than hope this sale does not go through. Sincerely, Kathleen E. Fisher
Submitted by: Kathleen Fisher · Park Forest, 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-4978 · back to the docket sheet