Comment EI-23342
Received or sent (printed as 6/3/2016)
The Village of Seneca would like to file the following comments with the Surface Transportation Board’s OEA: 1. The existing rail line that travels from east to west through Seneca has crossings at two points, Main Street (IL Route 170) and Douglas Street. The Village often experiences traffic blockages, for as much as 40 minutes, when switching trains close these routes. Not only does this back traffic up in both the north and south directions, but it also creates a situation in which our emergency responders (police/ambulance/fire) are cut off from any situation they may need to respond to on the other side of the tracks. The new GLBR must be designed to NOT add to this already poor situation, if it would tie in with the existing rail line. 2. Following the same concept as in #1, the GLBR must be designed to allow traffic to flow, either over or under it where it intersects roads east of Seneca (US Route 6 & DuPont Road). Much of the work force in our community travels out of town to work and having a new rail line that would stop or slow this traffic flow would not be welcome. Emergency responders should not be held up either. The same goes for school buses and students. 3. Boating, fishing and waterfowl hunting are major forms of recreation in and around our Village area. A derailment and/or chemical spill into the Illinois River east of town, where the proposed GLBR would cross the Illinois, would pollute the river and shut down tourism. Four marinas sit within this area (Mariner’s/Blacks/Cunninhams/Springbrook) as well as our Village public boat launch. 4. Slow speeds over the river should help minimize loss. Ready access to the crossing on land to contain spills before they reach the waterway are a must. Berm designs to prevent or slow leaks from getting to the waterway are necessary. Keeping in mind the potential for catastrophic environmental damage if a spill occurs, there are also other ramifications such as the loss of tourism income and sales tax revenue to the Village. The loss to local business, especially the marinas. And, the loss to commercial barge traffic/commerce, both passing through and locally to our grain and shipping ports if the Marseilles pool is closed to barge traffic during clean up. 5. Our community lives with the potential threat of a nuclear disaster. We prepare for this situation and a key element is the ability to evacuate away from the release of radioactive material in the event of a plant failure. GLBR must not hinder the ability to conduct an evacuation. GLBR must therefore participate in and train for this situation with our community as well as with the Exelon Company for the safety and well-being of our community and the residents of the surrounding area. Sincerely, Randy Timmons, Commissioner of Public Property, Water and Sewer Seneca Village Council
Submitted by: Randall Timmons · Village of Seneca (Councilman) · Seneca, 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-35952/comment/EI-23342 · back to the docket sheet