Manzullo Continues Traffic Relief Theme; Goes to Bat for Barrington Hills Residents

16th district Congressman Don Manzullo’s Democratic Party opponent is Barrington Hills Village President Robert Abboud.

Being the village president of area which has the EJ&E running through it, Abboud has quite naturally been active in trying to stop the Canadian Northern Railroad from buying the circumferential track system to be used as a way to bypass Chicago’s railroad block.

Now Manzullo is leaping into the fray. His press release below says that he is fighting for “tens of thousands” of motorists and Metra passengers. He gives an email address where affected residents can comment. The deadline in January 14th for comments.

Manzullo Protects McHenry County Motorists in Battle to Bolster Freight Train Traffic in Northern Illinois

[CRYSTAL LAKE] Congressman Don Manzullo today said tens of thousands of McHenry County motorists and Metra passengers could face significant delays each day if the Canadian National railway is allowed to purchase the EJ&E tracks and run more freight trains through Barrington.

In a letter to the Surface Transportation Board, Manzullo said he is extremely concerned the additional 15 trains that would cross Route 14, Route 59 and Lake-Cook Road in Barrington would further delay McHenry County motorists who drive those roads each day. In addition, the EJ&E’s at-grade crossing with the Metra line in Barrington that serves McHenry County could cause further rail commuter delays.

“Adding more freight trains to these ‘at-grade’ crossings will further delay McHenry County motorists trying to get to and from work every day,” Manzullo said. “The Board needs to have a complete and accurate picture of this proposed acquisition, particularly its practical day-to-day effects for northern Illinois commuters, communities, and businesses.”

Manzullo has met with CN officials and is working with Barrington Mayor Karen Darch, spokesman for the Barrington Communities Against CN Rail Congestion, to ensure the proposed sale of the EJ&E line to CN gets full scrutiny by the Surface Transportation Board. In a preliminary ruling last month, the STB voted to subject the proposed sale to an extensive Environmental Impact Statement analysis, a process the STB estimates would take between 18 months and several years to complete.

Manzullo also encourages McHenry County motorists and Metra passengers to become involved in the process and comment on the proposal and the impact increased commuter delays would have on their daily lives. Comments should be no more than two pages long and can be emailed to the congressman at

railroadcomments@mail.house.gov

or sent to Congressman Manzullo’s Crystal Lake office at 5186 Northwest Highway, Suite 130, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Deadline for comments is January 14, 2008. Manzullo will forward all comments to the Surface Transportation Board.

The letter to the Surface Transportation Board is [can be found here].


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