(The following story by Matt Kiefer appeared at PioneerLocal.com on July 31.)
CHICAGO — The federal government has no plans to require Canadian National to share track with the proposed commuter STAR Line, according to a draft study published by the Surface Transport Board and released on Friday.
The oversight agency’s finding drew immediate criticism from supporters of the STAR Line, which relies on the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway to complete its proposed route from O’Hare to Joliet.
Canadian National has proposed purchasing the EJ&E to run more traffic around the Chicago metropolitan area, but to date has made no commitments to share track with the STAR line.
Metra and local elected officials had pushed for the Surface Transportation Board to hold Canadian National to a track-sharing arrangement, but no such requirement was listed in the agency’s draft environmental impact statement.
Instead, the statement only acknowledges that Canadian National has “committed to continuing discussions with Metra on the STAR Line” and requests the company “work with Metra to explore all options for service on the proposed STAR Line, including the use of the EJ&E rail line.”
Alternatively, Canadian National has suggested Metra build its own set of tracks parallel to the EJ&E rail line, but local officials have described that option as cost prohibitive.
The Surface Transportation Board apparently disagrees.
Referring the STAR Line, the statement said Canadian National’s purchase “would not preclude the implementation of this service, but could introduce potential operational complexities.”
U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, D-8th, of Barrington released a statement Friday claiming Canadian National’s proposal “threatens construction of the long-awaited suburb-to-suburb Metra STAR Line” and that the Surface Transportation Board’s draft study “ignores effects” on the proposed rail service.
U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, R-6th, of Wheaton, was also disappointed in the board’s position.
“The STB acknowledges that substantial obstacles will face completion of the STAR Line,” he said in a statement. “We’re going to increase fuel consumption and make it difficult to take cars off the road for commuters? We can do better.”
Bean and Roskam have scheduled a Congressional field hearing for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday (Aug. 5) when several members of the Illinois delegation will hear testimony from residents and experts regarding the draft environmental impact statement.