Comment EI-5106
Received or sent (printed as 2/12/2008)
My Husband and I are the owners of a home in Plainfield, approximately 100 yards from the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern (EJ&E) tracks. As individuals with two younge children, we have major concerns regarding Canadian National Railroad’s (CN) plan to expand its rail service in the Plainfield area by acquiring the EJ& E railway. We are extremely concerned about how the increased freight and rail traffic that CN is planning to route through our town will effect this area and my family. The five trains that currently pass by everyday – blasting their horns day or night – are more than enough for my community. We are extremely concerned about freight trains carrying hazardous materials traveling near our schools, playgrounds, and homes. We moved to this house in this area because of the small town feel and the safety of the area. We are very concerned about the affect this purchase will have on our home value, insurance coverage expenses, and the overall safety of the area we live, work and our children play. We are distressed about how emergency vehicles will be unable to respond to incidents over the tracks, should a train be blocking the crossing. In addition, if a train can measure up to 2 miles in length, it can potentially block several crossings, having detrimental effects on the health and safety of the members of my community, not to mention the problems it will cause for any and all commuters. I am bothered by the thought of losing the rural atmosphere we have grown to love in Plainfield.
Submitted by: Rebecca Schmakel · Plainfield, 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-5106 · back to the docket sheet