(The following story by Kim Smith appeared on the Herald News website on December 10.)
NEW LENOX, Ill. — What track the village should take when it comes to Canadian National’s acquisition of the EJ&E Railway will be the topic of a special town meeting on Saturday.
New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann traveled around town with CN officials Monday morning, showing them what an increase of six to eight trains a day would do to the traffic flow.
“I do not think it is a matter of ‘if’ anymore,” Baldermann said. “It is now only a matter of when. (CN officials) are to present a proposal for us on Friday, and I want a chance to discuss the pros and cons of the plan before deciding what kind of stand to take.”
New Lenox actively fought the acquisition. In September, they hosted a rally attended by about 650 concerned residents. Since then, CN has sought agreements with other towns along the rail line, such as Joliet, Crest Hill and Frankfort.
The plan appears closer to becoming a reality when a final Environmental Impact Statement was released Friday by the federal Surface Transportation Board.
The village’s agreement with CN would more than likely be similar to proposals in other towns, adding silent crossings, sound walls and closed circuit TVs that would warn emergency vehicles about what routes are blocked by trains.
The crossings that would be impacted by the plan are on Cedar Road, Gougar Road, Nelson Road, Schoolhouse Road and Spencer Road.
The village could agree with the proposal or opt to file legal action, which is to be discussed at the town meeting.
The meeting is at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the community room at Village Hall, 1 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox.