Impact
The EJ&E has served as a rail bypass around Chicago for more than 100 years and that is its attraction to Canadian National, which wants to avoid the Chicago rail bottleneck. This will mean a significant increase in rail traffic through many communities along the EJ&E, New Lenox included, from six trains to 28 trains daily.
The EJ&E essentially bisects New Lenox Township and crosses five primary north/south roads through New Lenox at grade (view map of EJ&E crossings). These are:
- Cedar Road
- Gougar Road
- Nelson Road
- Schoolhouse Road
- Spencer Road
In addition to the Environmental Impact Statement being prepared by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, New Lenox is conducting its own assessment of the impacts on first responders, school buses, noise and land-use plans (learn about our proposed solutions).
