Comment EI-21929
Received or sent (printed as 4/10/2016)
I am writing as a concerned citizen about the GLB Railroad project, which is supposed to pass through Porter County, IN. I am opposed to the project for several reasons. First, the railroads would pass by residential areas of southern Valparaiso, IN, creating serious safety concerns and impact recreational areas. Safety concerns are further elevated due to the close proximity of the K-12 school. Children will frequently have to cross the rail tracks, in particular as it is in an area that many children ride their bikes. Hence this rail project not only endangers the safety of citizens and children, but would also impact the recreational options in the area. Second, the rail project would seriously impact our water resources. The table water levels are high, and experts have advised that any spillage would contaminate the wells on which we all rely for our daily water supplies. Third, as residents, we are gravely concerned by the impact of noise and vibration on our homes and on the nearby schools. Frequent train passings will affect our quality of life, and affect our children’s educational potential. Fourth, we are concerned about socioeconomic effects. Our area is home to many families with young children, and the potential influx of construction workers and of construction traffic creates concerns for the safety of our children playing in the surrounding recreational areas. Fifth, the railway would divide Porter County in half. It would affect the social and economic network of Porter County, disrupting daily travel from home to work, from home to school, and from home to basic necessities such as doctors, banks, and supermarkets. Finally, the enormous capacity of the proposed railway—up to 110 trains per day— further underlines the severity of the aforementioned concerns. Exposure to trains would be almost constant, fundamentally changing the quality of lives for the County as a whole. As a concerned citizen and voter, I appeal to you to take into account my concerns as you make decisions that will affect my daily life for years to come. Sincerely, Kenneth Jackowski
Submitted by: Kenneth Jackowski · Valparaiso, IN
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-35952/comment/EI-21929 · back to the docket sheet