(The following appeared on the Chicago Daily Herald website on August 28, 2010.)
CHICAGO — The Canadian National Railway reached a deal with Long Grove Friday over the impact of the company’s takeover of the EJ&E Railroad.
The mitigation agreement means CN will provide funding to Long Grove for maintaining a quiet zone as well as safety training.
CN’s acquisition of the smaller EJ&E, which runs in a semicircle between Waukegan and Gary, Ind., caused consternation among towns located along the rail line because of the company’s intent to put more trains on it. While affected communities complained about noise and safety issues, CN argued the change would help reduce rail congestion in the region because it moved freights off its other lines.
Federal regulators agreed and approved the merger in late 2008, however, a number of towns sued.
As of Friday, 23 out of 33 municipalities located along the EJ&E have signed mitigation agreements with CN, the company stated.