Planned sale of EJ&E troubles Bean
Quadrupled rail traffic would pressure highwaysDecember 19, 2007
By FRANK ABDERHOLDEN fabderholden@scn1.com
Concerns about the sale of the EJ&E West Co. railroad are growing after news that the number of trains on the line heading west from Mundelein will increase from about five a day to 20.
U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Barrington, announced Monday that she has contacted the federal Surface Transportation Board, which governs the transaction between the Canadian National Railway Co. and Grand Trunk Corp.'s purchase of the EJ&E tracks.
Bean requested a complete environmental impact statement study and a local hearing on the transaction, and the board agreed.
Bean said the rail lines run through eight communities in her district, and she wants to make sure the process is open and community concerns are addressed.
"Local traffic congestion, already a problem, would be seriously exacerbated," Bean said. The Surface Transportation Board has agreed to classify the transaction as "significant" instead of "minor," which means there will be an environmental impact study, and a formal hearing is planned in spring.
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