(The following story appeared at sj-r.com on December 2, 2008)
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The city of Springfield started hearing “rumblings” about the Union Pacific Railroad’s plans to increase the number of trains and hike train speeds a few weeks ago, said Jim Donelan, executive assistant to Mayor Tim Davlin.
But the administration hasn’t taken a position on the railroad’s plans because it hasn’t seen a formal proposal, Donelan said Tuesday.
“Obviously, any time you talk of increasing trains throughout the city and speeds, there are safety concerns we have and want to make sure are addressed,” Donelan said.
He also said the city would be concerned if the proposal interferes with the city of Springfield’s goal of consolidating the Third Street tracks with the 10th Street tracks.
Asked if there’s anything the city could do to intervene, Donelan said: “The only real jurisdictional leverage we would have (would be) if the railroad would need something in our right-of-way.”
But since city officials haven’t seen a proposal, he said, they’re not sure if the Union Pacific will need any city property.
Ward 6 Ald. Mark Mahoney and Ward 5 Ald. Sam Cahnman, whose wards would be affected by the proposal, learned of the plans only Tuesday. Both said they have concerns.
Mahoney said increasing the speed of trains might create safety issues, especially because many of the crossings don’t have gates. When told of the proposal to triple the number of trains, he said: “That could be a huge problem.”
“I think we need to make it very clear that it’s something that we’re very concerned about,” he said.
Cahnman said he has many questions, including when the trains would be operating.
“If they operate at night and blow their whistles, this could impact on citizens’ ability to sleep at night,” he wrote via e-mail. “Trains going through the city during rush hour will impact on a greater amount of traffic. However, if trains go faster, motorists have to wait less time for the train to clear the intersection.
“We have to make sure we have the right safety equipment at intersections, because the last thing we need is an injury or a fatality at a train crossing.”