Naperville Residents Concerned About Railroads

When it comes to the proposed acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad by Canadian National Railroad (CN), Naperville Residents have a lot of concerns.

In an effort to capture public comments on the proposed acquisition, the city of Naperville recently held a public meeting, full of charts, graphs, and staff from both CN and the city to discuss the project and answer questions on an individual basis.

An online survey is now available on the City of Naperville’s website at www.naperville.il.us/eje.aspx regarding the project.

The city’s website says, “The survey will help the city to continue to voice resident’s concerns to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) regarding the proposed acquisition.”

In fall 2007, the CN announced their proposed acquisition of the EJ&E Railroad, which runs along the western perimeter of the city. The transaction requires approval from the Surface Transportation Board and must undergo an Environmental Impact Study (EIS). CN projects rail traffic will increase from 15.7 to 42.3 freight trains per day on the rail segment that runs along Naperville’s western boundary.

This is one of many public meetings the CN will hold. The EJ and E has also been seeing some negative reaction from areas across the region from Frankfurt to Barrington, and everywhere in between.

At the Naperville meeting officials from CN insist that the economic impact on the region as a whole and the environmentally friendly transport of freight trains versus truck are huge benefits not being thoroughly considered.

One CN press release said according to the American Association of Railroads, one freight train can hold the amount of 280 semi trailer trucks.

But concerns of congestion, noise pollution, and train injuries persist.

Just this past November, North Central College student Daniel Twist, was struck and killed by a freight train traveling on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks while crossing. He was wearing headphones when he was hit.

Lindsey Theis reports.