No more trains through Naperville
Locals, other communities still upset over possible rail merger

Some 60 angry officials and movers and shakers in Naperville and other
communities affected by a possible rail merger filled a conference room at
the Hilton Lisle/Naperville from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. Line on Friday, May 16th.

Jim Foote, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Canadian
National Railway Company (CN) spoke at a Special Business Briefing for the
Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce on the proposed acquisition of the
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Rail Line.

In November of 2007, a subsidiary of CN filed its intent to purchase the 198
miles of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway from U.S. Steel Corporation for
$300 million. The Montreal-based company wants to buy the line so it can
reroute rail traffic around congested Chicago tracks. The line passes
through Naperville and several neighboring communities.

"Without a doubt the proposed acquisition of the EJ&E by CN presents our
region with a series of questions that are difficult to answer. Chicago is
our nation's rail center and there is a horrific congestion issue. Our
region benefits from the 38,000 jobs railroads provide and the corresponding
$22 billion in economic value," says Richard Greene, President & CEO of the
Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. "Factoring those economic
considerations with the impact to the quality of life the increased rail
traffic on the 'J' causes is what makes this proposal so complex and
important."

One big question local opponents hope the railway will answer is about the
traffic congestion that will result from the increase in the number of
freight trains running on the EJ&E at the 144 "at grade crossings" on the
line and the responsibility for funding congestion improvement projects,
such as grade separations. In some parts on the line, train traffic will
increase from 14 trains to 45 plus in the first three years of operations
according to information submitted to the Surface Transportation Board
(STB), the federal agency in charge of reviewing the purchase.

U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) was among those at the briefing. She also
spoke on her contention with the possible sale.

"I was very disappointed with the outcome. There were little specifics
discussed. Safety, noise, traffic, pollution -- this merger would have a
serious impact on life and business in our community," said Biggert. "It's
important that local residents, officials, and business groups have an open
dialogue with both CN and the STB to discuss how these concerns will be
addressed. Ours is one of the most populous and fastest-growing regions in
the state, and decisions reached now will have a lasting impact on future
economic growth and quality of life."

Among the other opposing officials, was a representative from Presidential
Candidate and Illinois Senator Barrack Obama's office. When asked following
the meeting for a comment, Obama said he's against the possible sale as it
stands now, and hopes there is substantial mitigation of the expected impact
on public safety and mass transit

"I am very concerned about the potential hardships for communities
associated with increased freight traffic, including traffic delays and the
effect on first responders in communities who must pass through many at
grade crossings to reach people who need their help. Cities and towns along
the EJ&E line must be assured that their commerce and their safety are not
imperiled by slow-moving trains that could be as much as two miles in
length," Obama said. "I will work with affected communities to make certain
that their views are considered as a part of the Surface Transportation
Board (STB) process."

When it comes to those at grade crossings, officials with Canadian National
Railway said they do not see a need for under/overpasses at any of the
crossings along the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway.

According to the analysis, which used Illinois Department of Transportation
data, after the purchase is completed, none of the crossings would fall
within need of separation.

CN says though they'll still sit down and talk with local communities about
the possibility of working together with other funding partners, the company
clarified after Foote's briefing Friday morning before the Naperville Area
Chamber of Commerce.

As of now, CN has said they would offer $40 million dollars to the affected
communities for mitigation purposes for additional trains. Local
representatives say that $40 million is nowhere near enough to cover those
costs.

"Communities along the EJ&E line, including Naperville, are still trying to
determine the total cost of mitigating the impact of the additional trains.
And while we don't know the exact cost yet, you can be sure that it's going
to be much more than the total $40 million that CN is currently offering,"
Biggert said.

The city of Naperville estimates it will cost $40 million to construct one
grade separation at the EJ&E.

"That $40 million is a working number right now," said Jim Kvedaras, senior
manager of U.S. government and public affairs for CN.

Last Tuesday CN filed a request with the STB seeking a timeline, including a
final decision by Dec. 1. Friday U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, and U.S.
Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Barrington, sent a letter to the STB urging the board
to reject CN's request.

"For a case and level of involvement that has been recognized by all
participants and the STB to be unprecedented, an EIS process that is
completed in less than the typical time of 18 months to several years, as
cited by the board as an average, would jeopardize the ability of the STB to
do the comprehensive investigation warranted and undermine the credibility
and authority of the EIS recommendations," they wrote.

Lindsey Theis reports.