(The following story by Charles F. Haber appeared on the Munster Times website on January 5.)
GRIFFITH, Ind. — The Griffith Town Council is hoping to have the proposed $300 million sale of the EJ&E Railway to the Canadian National Railway Co. reclassified from a minor to significant deal.
Significant transactions can take up to 15 years to be approved, whereas a minor classification can conclude within a year or two, said Councilman Stan Dobosz, D-5th.
Councilman Rick Ryfa, R-3rd, said officials are considering hiring a law firm to represent the town against the railway sale.
“We are working together to build our best case,” Ryfa said.
Canadian National’s purchase of the EJ&E Railway, which would triple rail traffic through town, may be approved by federal regulators as early as April 25.
In late September, CN announced it had an agreement to buy the bulk of the EJ&E for $300 million.
The EJ&E Railway runs north and south through Griffith a few blocks east of Broad Street. After it crosses Main Street to the south, it curves around across Broad and heads west to Highland.
If a long train rolls down the tracks, it can block several main roads and effectively cut the town off from itself, including emergency vehicles, Public Works Director Rick Konopasek said. If the sale goes through, the number of daily trains could shoot from 10 to 34, he said.
Ryfa said politicians in Chicago, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin favor the sale because it would decrease the train traffic in their own areas. The number of trains going through communities such as Munster and Lansing, which currently handle mainline CN traffic into Chicago, also would decrease.
“If this does go through, I want the CN to give Griffith many concessions, including commitments to overpasses or underpasses and paying us cash” along with gates and improved intersections, he said.
Ryfa said he would want the railroad to financially compensate residents and businesses for the burden that would be imposed on them.
Council Vice President Glen Gaby, R-1st, said U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., will visit Town Hall at noon Wednesday for a forum where people can express their concerns.