(The following appeared on the Naperville Sun website on May 31, 2009.)
CHICAGO — The Illinois House unanimously adopted a resolution Saturday introduced by state Rep. Darlene Senger (R-Naperville) which will protect the interests of communities impacted by Canadian National’s acquisition of the EJ&E Railway.
House Resolution 68 urges Congress to enact legislation to ensure that federal funds are allocated to assist communities impacted by the Canadian National acquisition. It also encourages Congress and President Obama to support the “Reaching the Star Act,” an inter-suburban commuter rail that will ease traffic congestion in 100 communities including Naperville.
Senger became involved with the issue prior to becoming state representative, serving on the steering committee of TRAC, the Regional Answer to Canadian National. The group, which consists of more than 25 communities, is working to create solutions to ensure that transportation plans for the railway line along the Naperville/Aurora border be honored for the well being of the residents in the region.
“I will continue to be a loud voice in Springfield for the communities that will see a significant increase in traffic congestion because of the CN acquisition,” Senger said in a press release. “Naperville could have up to 40 trains per day, and our town may be completely immobilized at times. It is so important that the Surface Transportation Board consider that significant infrastructure improvements are needed to keep our towns safe. This resolution takes a huge step forward.”
The release said Senger will continue to push for the $23 million needed to improve the grade crossing at Ogden Avenue.
Although Canadian National is required to pay for two-thirds of the cost of an underpass or overpass on Ogden Avenue, the state has to be ready to make the improvement by 2015 — a very difficult timeframe to meet. This creates a $23 million cost to the state.
“House Resolution 68 tells Congress and President Obama that we need to make sure our Star line, the transit line that runs from Waukegan through Gary, remains intact,” Senger said. “It also asks Washington to recognize that there is a huge unmitigated impact to our towns to the tune of over $2 billion. We need to make our community whole again.”
Senger is also a co-sponsor of Senate Resolution 247 which asks Obama to quickly appoint a third community-minded member to the vacant seat on the U.S. Surface Transportation Board. The resolution further requests that the president make an appointment that will protect communities from the unnecessary safety and economic concerns that can be caused by railroad expansion, and that infrastructure improvement projects with private funding be given priority by the state.