(The following story by Robert Themer appeared on the Kankakee Daily Journal website on April 27.)
CHICAGO — On Friday, the Surface Transportation Board announced it will require an impact study of Canadian National Railway Co.’s plan to purchase the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad, which loops around the Chicago metropolitan area. The board wants the study to be conducted through 2015.
The plan is intended to route Canadian National trains away from the rail snarl of Chicago, where freight trains travel at an average of 8 miles an hour, according to state reports.
Communities along the route, which runs from Waukegan south to Joliet, then east to Gary, have objected to the sale because they fear rail traffic could triple or quadruple and affect their quality of life.
Joliet, New Lenox, Mokena, Frankfort, Matteson, Park Forest and Chicago Heights are among the communities most likely to be affected by the move. Opposition has developed throughout the region and has brought concern from state and federal legislators as well.
The transportation board requested the impact study last three years longer than what the Canadian National wanted. Some local opponents to the sale had requested 25-year impact projections.
The study is to include rail traffic estimates, safety at street crossings, hazardous materials shipping, energy consumption and impact of present and planned Amtrak and Metra service.
The EJ&E has been considered as a potential outer ring commuter rail line, identified as the STAR Line passenger service, with east-west service through the Will County and south Cook County communities, and connections to the north.
Canadian National, which also owns the Illinois Central system, plans to buy the 198-mile EJ&E for $300 million. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has said the Canadian National has also pledged to spend $40 million on grade separations.