(The following story by Regan Foster appeared on the Kane County Chronicle website on April 13.)
BARRINGTON, Ill. — Opposition is rising to a proposed $300 million rail buyout that could increase rail traffic in the northwest suburbs.
A fledgling group of governmental leaders formalized a coalition Friday in opposition of Canadian National’s proposed purchase of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad. Dubbed “The Regional Answer to Canadian National,” or TRAC, the steering committee of municipal and county leaders mimics the focus of the Barrington Areas Against Canadian National Congestion group.
Consisting of representatives from Lake, Will, DuPage, and Cook counties, and Lake County, Ind., as well as 30 municipalities within those counties, TRAC is charged with working collaboratively and speaking in a unified voice against Canadian National’s proposed buyout.
“There’s value in the many voices we have; and there’s tremendous value in the one voice we speak with,” Barrington village President Karen Darch told a group of more than 100 concerned lawmakers and leaders. “The strength in our numbers is really important at this point.
“It isn’t just Barrington, it isn’t just Will County or DuPage County: We recognize that this is a huge, regional issue.”
Canadian National wants to buy 200 miles of rail line used by the EJ&E. The lines run in a southwesterly loop from Waukegan to South Chicago.
Although they don’t enter McHenry County directly, the rails do cross several roadways, including Routes 59 and 14, that serve as gateways to the area.
Canadian National leaders said the sale was meant to ease congestion on rail lines throughout the region. The freight hauler, in its proposal to the regulatory U.S. Surface Transportation Board, said it would increase rail traffic in the northwest suburbs from the about five daily trains that traverse the lines now to about 20 a day.
But opponents have raised red flags about the economic, social and environmental impact the sale could have on the area. Among their concerns are property values, access across the tracks for first responders, and additional tie-ups on already congested roadways.
The company has committed to spending $100 million on infrastructure improvements and $40 million to repair and update parts of the track, said Jim Kvedaras, Canadian National senior manager for U.S. public and government affairs.
He said it was too soon to tell what impact, if any, the TRAC coalition would have on the Canadian National proposal. The company has met with 30 of the 33 communities along the rail corridor, he said, to hear their questions and concerns.
“Our intent always has been to give our communities all the respect to have [input],” Kvedaras said. “There’s no misconception that we are not reaching out to the communities.”
U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, an outspoken opponent of the sale, told TRAC members that although the Barrington coalition had taken a leadership role in the rally against the railroad, a unified front from throughout the region would magnify the push.
“Originally, CN thought they were just going to come in here and do this thing without any sort of discussion among the communities [that] would be effected” Bean, a Democrat from Barrington, said. “Showing the community support, so we can put the pressure on this agency, is what matters.
“Together, we’re going to hold the STB accountable, however they proceed.”