Posted August 29, 2008 / By the Village of New Lenox
NEW LENOX MOVES TO BLOCK CN RAIL PLAN
Attendance at Rally and Public Hearing Urged
NEW LENOX, IL-New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann is urging residents to rally behind the village’s decision to aggressively fight the proposed acquisition of the EJ&E Railway by the CN Railway.
“We had hoped that the CN would partner with us to lessen the impacts of a fourfold increase in train traffic through the village if the plan is approved, but it’s clear that the CN has no interest in doing this,” Baldermann said.
“Therefore, New Lenox will go on record with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) in opposition and we will testify before the STB at a public hearing in Joliet next month,” he said.
New Lenox residents are encouraged to attend the hearing to be held September 11, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn at I-80 and Larkin Avenue. Moreover, the village will hold a community rally on September 10 at 7:00 p.m. at Lincoln-Way Central High School Auditorium (1801 East Lincoln Highway). Residents are also urged to write letters of opposition to the STB. Details on how to do this can be found at www.nlrailsense.net.
Baldermann said that New Lenox joined TRAC (The Regional Answer to Canadian National), a marshalling point for communities opposing the CN plan.
There are five at-grade rail crossings with the EJ&E, which operates six trains daily through town. The CN would increase that to 28 trains daily. Moreover, these are long, heavy freight trains. New Lenox and other communities are concerned about the blockage of multiple crossings if a train breaks down or stops for signals. “We are obviously concerned about the ability of first responders to answer calls for help and the traffic backups that could occur,” Baldermann said.
Surprised by the level of opposition, the STB ordered an environmental impact study of the CN plan, but the study, released in July, concluded that there would be no adverse impacts on New Lenox. “Whatever incentive the CN may have had to talk with us about grade separations or other mitigation evaporated with the conclusions of that report and we have no alternative but to fight,” Baldermann said.
August 27, 2008 / CBS2-WBBM / by Suzanne Le Mignot
BARRINGTON, Ill. (CBS) - There was a packed public hearing in Barrington Wednesday night to discuss plans by the Canadian National Railway to acquire track that runs through dozens of communities in the Chicago area. Many residents are worried about noise, delays and safety. CBS 2’s Suzanne Le Mignot reports that critics of a plan to increase rail freight traffic through dozens of communities raised their voices in dissent.
Citizens near New Lenox recently created a video that clearly demonstrates how long and frequent trains could affect police, fire and ambulance emergency services.
August 26, 2008 / By Richard Wronski and Gary Gibula / Chicago Chicago Tribune /
Rail company will pay for various repairs in exchange for support
As a new round of public meetings began Monday on the controversial acquisition of a suburban railroad, Canadian National Railway Co. reported an agreement with one of the towns facing a potentially sharp increase in freight traffic. CN has agreed to pay for track improvements and other updates along the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway through Joliet-a move intended to lessen the impact of additional freight trains at two busy rail crossings.
August 25, 2008 / Joliet Herald News / From Submitted Reports
CHICAGO — Canadian National officials said today they have reached an agreement with the City of Joliet regarding CN’s proposed acquisition of the major portion of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company. The agreement resolves the outstanding concerns the City of Joliet has related to quiet zones, operations, and communications surrounding the transaction.
August 24, 2008 / BY GUY TRIDGELL / Southtown Star
For New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann, it’s a life-or-death issue.
The Surface Transportation Board, a federal agency that oversees rail operations nationwide, will begin a new round of hearings Monday for people to comment on the Canadian National Railway’s attempt to buy the EJ&E Railroad.
August 21, 2008 / BY DAN CAMPANA / Fox Valley Villages Sun
AURORA — The Surface Transportation Board has been “unwilling” to change the site of a public meeting on Canadian National Railway’s plan to buy the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway, according to Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner.
On Friday, officials from Aurora and Naperville went public with their disappointment over the federal agency’s decision to use West Aurora High School — several miles from the rail line sale’s hot zone — to host public comment on Sept. 9.
August 21, 2008 / By Dan Campana / Aurora Beaconn News
The first formal support has come forth for Canadian National Railway’s plan to shift its freight traffic to the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern rail line. But Fox Valley critics remain unfazed.
Leaders of several municipalities to the east, which are in line to see fewer trains if CN gets approval of the sale, have created their own coalition and are expected to receive the backing of U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski during an event this morning.
August 21, 2008 / By Dan Campana / Elgin Courier News
The first formal support has come forth for Canadian National Railway’s plan to shift its freight traffic to the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern rail line. But Fox Valley critics remain unfazed.
Leaders of several municipalities to the east, which are in line to see fewer trains if CN gets approval of the sale, have created their own coalition and are expected to receive the backing of U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski during an event this morning.
August 21, 2008 / By BOB OKON / Joliet Herald News
JOLIET — The city has tied down its agreement with Canadian National Railway, changing course from other communities that are fighting a plan that would bring more train traffic to the suburbs.
The Joliet City Council this week gave final approval to the “commitment agreement” that nails down Canadian National’s promises to help the city deal with the increased traffic.
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