Here is the press release from 16th congressional district United States Representative Don Manzullo to the Federal Surface Transportation Board’s approval of the the Canadian National’s purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway:
Canadian National Railway to Purchase EJ&E Line
[CRYSTAL LAKE] Congressman Don Manzullo issued the following statement today concerning the Surface Transportation Board’s approval this morning of the Canadian National Railway’s proposal to purchase the EJ&E Rail line.
The decision will allow CN to run an extra 15 to 20 freight trains each day on the line through Barrington, which would create significant traffic and safety hazards for McHenry County motorists who travel Route 14, Route 59 and County Line Road east to work each day:
“Today’s decision by the Surface Transportation Board is a joke. They never answered any of the big questions, such as how do you mitigate the safety hazards posed by the 800 school bus crossings in Barrington each day?
“Canadian National paid for the environmental study, and they obviously authored this decision. The STB gave CN everything it wanted. Congress needs to pass legislation early next year to ensure the presumption in these deals is with taxpayers and motorists, not the rail companies.”