Biggert Asks Transportation Board Chair to Tour EJ&E Line

Letter

U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) sent a letter to Charles Nottingham, Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB), inviting him to tour local communities and assess first-hand the potential impact of a pending railway merger currently under consideration by the STB. It is estimated that the merger, between Canadian National Railway Corporation and Grand Truck Corporation (CN) and the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E), could increase train traffic on the line through Will and DuPage Counties by as much as 150%.

The full text of the letter can be found below:

March 7, 2008

The Honorable Charles D. "Chip" Nottingham
Chairman
Surface Transportation Board
395 E Street S.W., Suite 1220
Washington, D.C. 20423-0001

Dear Chairman Nottingham:

You may recall that during your tenure as the Associate Administrator for Policy and Governmental Affairs at the Federal Highway Administration, you were kind enough to meet with me and my staff to discuss the importance of widening I-55 and the need to build additional interchanges along this important stretch of interstate in Illinois. I very much appreciated your willingness to sit down with me and discuss the transportation needs of communities in my district.

I'd like to take this opportunity to invite you in your new capacity as Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to visit Chicago and join me on a tour of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company's (EJ&E) line through the western suburbs of Chicago. As you well know, the Canadian National Railway Corporation and Grand Truck Corporation (CN) has requested STB approval to purchase the EJ&E and increase train traffic along this route.

The potential adverse impact of the exponential increase in train traffic along the EJ&E warrants careful study as it could drastically affect the lives of millions of residents throughout northern Illinois. I continue to receive numerous calls, letters, and e-mails from my constituents, businesses and local officials who have significant concerns about the impact of the additional trains on the quality of life in local communities along the line.

Officials from the counties and communities most affected by this proposed transaction met as recently as today to discuss its impact and begin the development of a mitigation plan. Once that plan is complete in May or June, I would invite you to come for a visit and get a first hand view of the line and discuss the mitigation needs of local communities.

I appreciate your consideration of my invitation, and look forward to your timely response.

Sincerely,

Judy Biggert
Member of Congress

Source