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(The following report by Nathan VanderKlippe appeared on the National Post website on October 2.)

OTTAWA — Canadian National Railway President and CEO Hunter Harrison hinted Wednesday that the controversial deal to buy Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway may not die at year’s end after all.

Speaking to the Journal of Commerce Canada Maritime Conference, Mr. Harrison answered several questions about the $300-million bid to buy EJ&E. The small rail line through the Chicago suburbs has stoked a war with residents, who don’t want to see more trains on the little-used line.

In August CN said there is a “substantial risk” that EJ&E owner U.S. Steel Corp. would back out of the deal if it is not completed by year’s end. Mr. Harrison appeared to temper that comment yesterday.

“I don’t think it’s certain that U.S. Steel has to be done by the end of the year,” he said. “They have not indicated to us that they would extend it. To my knowledge, they have not indicated they would not extend it. There’s a lot of pressure out there going on, and maybe after November 4 it will ease up.”

Mr. Harrison expressed frustration with the long battle to buy the railroad, which would save CN the day it currently takes to pull its trains through Chicago’s congested rail network.

“There are unprecedented political pressures being exerted on this transaction,” he said.