Comment EI-31416
Received or sent (printed as 12/15/2021)
The Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for the proposed merger indicates that the OEA has identified rail lines located within Illinois that would experience increased rail traffic. Increases in activities at rail yards and intermodal facilities would also occur. An interactive map published by the Board displays calculations of transaction-related traffic for the year 2027, five years after the proposed acquisition could be granted authorization. Data indicates the CP Bensenville Yard is projected to see a 25.8% growth in the average number of cars handled per day, from an estimated 1,427.7 without the merger, to 1795.5 with the merger. Similarly, the portion of the rail line that feeds into the Bensenville Yard, running through the heart of Bensenville’s downtown, will experience an estimated 8 more trains per day than what our community would experience without the merger. As Bensenville is located within a designated nonattainment area, there are concerns that increased freight traffic, along with a possible increase in hazardous cargo, may worsen already poor air quality. Additional data regarding traffic counts and grade crossing delays is needed in order for the STB to adequately review CP’s requested acquisition of KCS. These projections should be both short- and long-term, a minimum of 10 years. Additional traffic will only exacerbate the issues that communities, commuters, and other regional economic drivers in the region are currently enduring. Adverse impacts include increases in noise pollution, vehicular traffic congestion, grade crossing delays, as well as the potential to impede emergency vehicle access and response. (Received via project website)
Submitted by: Kelsey Falwell · City of Bensenville, IL · Bensenville, 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-36500/comment/EI-31416 · back to the docket sheet