New Lenox Rail Sense

Nov. 7, 2008 / Press Release

The Surface Transportation Board announced that it will hold a public meeting on November 18, 2008, at its Washington, D.C. headquarters, concerning the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) now being prepared in Canadian National Railway Company and Grand Trunk Corporation-Control-EJ&E West Company, STB Finance Docket No. 35087.

During the public meeting, the Board Members will be briefed by, and will discuss the EIS with, staff of the agency’s Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA). The meeting will be open for public observation but not public participation.

Read the complete press release

March 1, 2008–A capacity crowd attended a two-hour town meeting in New Lenox today to express concern and ask questions about the pending acquisition of the EJ&E Railway by the Canadian National Railway.

If approved by the Surface Transportation Board, the transaction will result in a dramatic increase in freight train traffic through the village and residents expressed fears about pollution and safety.

Sale Likely to be Approved
New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann assured citizens that the village board and the administration are doing all that they can to make sure that the village is treated fairly (download the slide show: PowerPoint/1 mb PDF/320k).

“We need to be realistic,” said Baldermann, noting that of 251 petitions filed by railroads, the Surface Transportation Board approved 250. “But if it is approved, we are insisting that the (Canadian National) railroad address our concerns at the railroad’s expense.” (Read about possible solutions…)

Summer Hearings
The board will likely hold environmental hearings over the summer and Illinois State Senator Christine Radogno (R-41-Lemont) said she will press for one to be held in the New Lenox region. State Representative Renee Kosel (R-81-New Lenox) discussed a resolution she filed in the Illinois House asking that the railroad be required to meet the most stringent mitigation standards.

What can I do?
“What can the individual citizen do?” asked a member of the audience. Write legislators, attend public hearings, sign up for home delivery of a newsletter and check this Web site frequently for updates, Baldermann responded. (Sign up for RSS feed at the top of this page, or subscribe to our newsletter using the signup box at right.)

Resource
Download the slide show: PowerPoint slide show format (file size: 1 mb) or Adobe PDF (file size: 320k)

Get the latest information about the impact on New Lenox…

New Lenox will hold a town meeting on the impacts of increased rail traffic through the community resulting from the pending acquisition of the EJ&E Railway by the Canadian National Railway.  Public comment and questions are encouraged.

UPDATE: View a report on the meeting, along with photos and the slide show

Saturday, March 1, 2008
10:30 a.m.
Village Hall (1 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox, Ill.)

The meeting will include an informational slide show and a question-and-answer session. Expected speakers include:

• Tim Baldermann, Mayor
• Russ Loebe, Village Manager
• Village legal staff

Illinois State Sen. Christine Radogno and State Rep. Renee Kosel are expected to be in attendance.

Any individual requiring special accommodations as specified by the Americans with Disabilities Act is requested to notify the Village of New Lenox - ADA Compliance Coordinator at (815) 485-6452 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting date. For more information visit: http://www.newlenox.net/.

Village trustees have also adopted an action plan.

In response to inquiries from the public, The Surface Transportation Board (Board) is providing additional guidance on how to participate in the economic and environmental analyses of the proposed acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company by Canadian National Railway Corporation and Grand Trunk Corporation.

Read the full announcement