New Lenox Rail Sense

December 25, 2008 / By BOB OKON / Joliet Herald News

Federal regulators Wednesday approved Canadian National Railway’s plan to the dismay — but not surprise — of many local officials. Canadian National can now move forward with the $300 million acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway line.

But while local officials are disappointed that CN was not required to pay more to ease the impact on road congestion, the railroad company said it will review the decision in light of additional costs imposed by regulators.

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December 7, 2008 / By SUSAN DeMAR LAFFERTY / Sun-Times News Group

NEW LENOX — It seems to village leaders that the Canadian National Railroad is dividing and conquering its opposition.

First Joliet signed a deal, now Frankfort is in the talking stages.

CN wants to buy the EJ&E tracks to create a bypass around Chicago and quadruple the number of freight trains. The plan has been strongly opposed by a coalition of communities known as TRAC — The Regional Answer to Canadian National, of which New Lenox and Frankfort are members.

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December 6, 2008 / By PATRICK FERRELL / Joliet Herald News

The Surface Transportation Board on Friday released its final environment study on the impact of  Canadian National’s plan to buy 198 miles of Elgin, Joliet & Eastern railroad. Not surprisingly, the report encompasses much of what was in the preliminary report released in July.

It prescribes mitigation for only eight road crossings — including Plainfield-Naperville Road in Plainfield and Woodruff Road and Washington Street in Joliet — to counter traffic congestion that would “likely” be worsened by CN’s plan to bring more frequent and longer trains to tracks stretching from northwest Indiana to Chicago’s northern suburbs.

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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.

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September 12, 2008 / BOB OKON / Joliet Herald News

AREA OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS TELL FEDERAL BOARD: NO MORE TRAINS AND NOT ON OUR DIME

JOLIET — Opponents to the Canadian National Railway plan questioned why the company should be allowed to profit at the expense of local residents and taxpayers.

Frankfort Mayor Jim Holland even accused the Montreal-based railroad of seeking taxpayer subsidies for a venture that ultimately will take jobs away from workers in the United States because Canadian National is expanding port operations in Canada.

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September 9, 2008 / By BOB OKON / Joliet Herald News

JOLIET — Some local political leaders hope to rev up their residents for a public hearing in Joliet this week on Canadian National Railway’s plan to expand operations in Will County and elsewhere.  The hearing is 6-9 p.m. Thursday at the Holiday Inn at Larkin Avenue and Interstate 80.

New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann will lead a public rally in New Lenox the night before the hearing, hoping to inspire residents to testify in opposition to the railroad at the hearing.

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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.

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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.

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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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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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