(The following story by Matt Kiefer appeared on the Pioneer Local website on July 17.)
CHICAGO — Members of Illinois’ congressional delegation are getting behind a bill that would halt Canadian National from expanding freight traffic in the outlying suburbs.
Meanwhile, Metra is also digging in with a more outspoken position against the proposal, claiming Canadian National’s lack of commitment to sharing track along the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway could jeopardize a suburban commuter rail line in the works.
It’s that new train service, the STAR Line, that could prove to be the sticking point in Canadian National’s bid to purchase the EJ&E.
For years, Metra has planned for the STAR Line to run along that 36-mile section of track from Joliet to Hoffman Estates, turning on a yet-to-be-built rail line on the Northwest Tollway median to O’Hare International Airport. To date, Canadian National has not guaranteed it would share track with Metra if it purchased the EJ&E, and building a new set of tracks could be cost prohibitive, officials have said.
After U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, R-6th, of Wheaton introduced a bill last week that would designate the EJ&E section of the proposed STAR Line as a “commuter rail corridor,” four other members of Congress signed on their support, including U.S. Reps. Don Manzullo, R-16th, of Egan; Judy Biggert, R-13th, of Hinsdale; Melissa Bean, D-8th, of Barrington; and Bill Foster, D-14th, of Geneva.
The bill would protect the train line from any increase in freight traffic under the authority of the Department of Transportation. It has been assigned to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Several of the lawmakers behind the bill also met July 9 in Washington, D.C., with Metra executive director Phil Pagano, who has been trying to make a deal with Canadian National that would protect interests in the STAR Line.
Metra has since made it clear it opposes the purchase unless Canadian National can guarantee a track-sharing arrangement in writing.
The federal Surface Transportation Board will rule on Canadian National’s proposed acquisition of the EJ&E.