New Lenox Rail Sense

December 25, 2008 / By Richard Wronski / Chicago Tribune

Trains may triple in many suburbs

Federal regulators have given a green light to Canadian National Railway’s plan to divert freight traffic through Chicago’s suburbs, a possible boon for the economy but potentially bad news for many suburban motorists likely to encounter delays at blocked crossings. The U.S. Surface Transportation Board unanimously approved on Wednesday CN’s $300 million purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway. But in response to critics, the board imposed an unprecedented condition: CN must pay tens of millions of dollars to build two overpasses in Aurora and Lynwood.

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December 17, 2008 / By Richard Wronski / Chicago Tribune reporter

CN to spend millions on addressing problems with safety, noise and traffic

Some communities that had opposed Canadian National Railway’s plan to run more freight trains through their towns have decided to stop fighting and negotiate their own deals to ease noise, safety and traffic concerns. As of Tuesday, eight communities-from Mundelein to Frankfort and Schererville, Ind.-have approved individual agreements with the railway that are worth millions of dollars.

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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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CHICAGO, Nov 24, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ — Coalition demands that the record be set straight prior to final ruling

On November 18, the environmental staff (SEA) of the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and its consulting firm, HDR, presented its environmental analysis of CN’s acquisition of the EJ&E to the three board members of the STB. While this briefing was open for public observation, the public could not participate in the proceedings or ask any questions.

As an observer, TRAC concluded that this event demonstrated that the environmental staff either does not recognize that its environmental analysis is materially flawed or knows it is flawed but has decided to muddle through in the hope that it can paper over the flaws in the final EIS.

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September 14, 2008 / By Richard Wronski / Chicago Tribune

The Canadian National Railway Co.’s plan to reroute freight train traffic through Chicago’s outlying suburbs has generated a locomotive-size controversy.

Opponents say the plan raises concerns about safety, traffic and pollution, while CN and experts say diverting freight trains around Chicago’s congested rail corridor will benefit business and the economy.

Here’s a look at some who favor the deal or oppose it-and why.

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September 9, 2008 / By Kevin Craver / Northwest Herald

Canadian National may be headed to court after the Surface Transportation Board ruled that it cannot buy the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway prior to a final environmental report.

The three-member STB, which approves all U.S. railway sales, denied CN’s request that the board approve the purchase by mid-October, and rule on the environmental aspects later when the final report is issued.

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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.

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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.

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July 24, 2008 / By ANDRE SALLES / Joliet Herald News

David Brauer has train tracks running next to his back yard.

On Wednesday night, Brauer joined roughly 1,500 people who live along the EJ&E line at Waubonsie Valley High School’s Gold Campus in Aurora.

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[Press Release]

BARRINGTON, Ill., July 25, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — The following statement has been issued by the TRAC (The Regional Answer to Canadian National) Coalition which represents more than 40 suburban communities in response to the STB Environmental Impact Study.

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