In a February 28 letter to CN CEO E. Hunter Harrison, Rep. Melissa Bean and Sen. Dick Durbin requested a meeting to discuss their concerns about CN’s proposed acquisition of the EJ.  [We have uploaded a copy of that letter on the www.fightrailcongestion.com website under the Press Releases and Documents tab.]  



We are pleased that our federal elected officials are responding to our requests for firm action on this deal and that their qualified opposition at this point will soon become firm sustained opposition in defense of Northern Illinois’ interests.  We now have two allies who – by the very nature of the offices they hold -- are in the position to hold CN’s feet to the fire in getting real answers to opponents’ questions rather than accepting more of the CN pabulum that opponents have been fed thus far.



Because we know that Senator Durbin’s stated concerns have focused on the two issues of how the acquisition will impact the proposed Metra STAR line and Amtrak operations, we hope that their discussions with Harrison will result in getting long-term guarantees that are written in stone.  Right now, CN can give warm and fuzzy assurances about accommodating commuter and regional passenger rail because they know that there is no funding currently available to bring the STAR line project to fruition or build an alternative Amtrak access route in Chicago.  



So, while CN tells us that it is willing to “continue to work” with Metra about the possibility of allowing it to use approximately 36 miles of the EJ for the STAR line, let’s take a look at how CN may REALLY view that possibility.



•CN knows that when it ramps up Intermodal (container) traffic from a fully operating Port of Prince Rupert that the current EJ configuration doesn’t have sufficient capacity to carry that traffic.  The three-year traffic plan they’ve outlined in this acquisition proposal is just the proverbial camel’s nose under the tent.  In the years ahead, expect to see more CN rail lines laid next to the existing line to carry their freight – NOT accommodate Metra trains (including any future STAR line.)



•CN talks about its willingness to do its “fair share” in terms of financing mitigation and admits that it will have to occur in “three or four” places. What CN hasn’t mentioned is that there is no history of the STB forcing any mitigation to actually be in place before the increased freight traffic starts flowing.  Businesses and homes along the EJ from Waukegan to Gary will be sold at fire sale prices.  Who will be buying?  CN, of course.  All the better to expand its footprint surrounding the EJ to accommodate continued growth in its operations.  That community after community is destroyed by a loss of a thriving tax base, along with the individual home investments of their residents, is all in CN’s financial interests.



Senator Durbin and Representative Bean need to get some real good answers to these concerns when they meet with the folks at CN.  It is hard to imagine a greater test of their leadership!


 And, if you have any questions you’d like CN to answer in the meeting with Rep. Bean and Sen. Durbin, get them to us and we’ll make sure that we pass them on to their offices.  



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BCFPD Expresses Concern about Public Safety Impact

Of Proposal to Increase Freight Train Traffic

              BARRINGTON, IL The Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District (BCFPD) Board of Trustees at its January 21 meeting issued the following statement on the Canadian National Railway Corporation’s proposed purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway:

 

“The Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District is very concerned about the adverse public safety impact of the Canadian National Railway Corporation’s proposal to increase freight train traffic through the heart of its 48 square mile district. The proposal – which would bring additional trains up to 10,000 feet long across intersections at Routes 14 and 59, and Lake Cook, Lake Zurich, Ela, Cuba, Penny and Otis Roads – will significantly restrict access for vehicles providing fire and emergency medical services. For the services the District provides, a delay of minutes can mean the difference between life and death.

“Our mission is to protect the lives and property of residents and owners in the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District, by providing exceptional emergency fire and medical service.

“The District’s Board of Trustees is committed to working with leaders of communities within the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District, the Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG), federal and state officials, and Canadian National representatives to guarantee the District’s ability to continue to provide effective, responsive and timely service.”

For more information on the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District, visit www.bcfpd.org.