(The Associated Press circulated the following on February 25, 2009.)
CHICAGO — U.S. Senator Dick Durbin says Canadian National Railway should have to meet a key condition placed on it before its hotly debated acquisition of a nearly 200-mile railway line encircling Chicago.
CN this week asked a federal court to overturn a requirement from the Surface Transportation Board that CN pay around 70 percent of the costs of building overpasses or underpasses at two crossings.
Montreal-based CN says railroads have historically paid only up to 10 percent.
But Durbin’s office says the Illinois Democrat is urging regulators to defend their decision.
Many residents along the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway line fear increased CN rail traffic will disrupt their lives.
Despite their opposition, the $300 million sale closed Jan. 31.