THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2008
Durbin Rejects RR Plan
The Canadian National (CN) Railroad is offering $40 million more for infrastructure improvements along 198 miles of track in its bid to buy the EJ&E Railroad and move its operations to the far Western suburbs near Elgin.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said it's still not enough money and remains opposed to the plan.
The move comes after Durbin and U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean (D-8th) said last week CN was not doing enough to mitigate the ef fects of increased traffic to the far Western suburbs.
A letter to Durbin sent Monday, Mar. 10 from CN President and CEO E. Hunter Harrison said the company is upping its aid for infrastructure by $40 million, putting total financial assistance at $140 mil lion.
The sale of the EJ&E would have a dramatic impact on rail traffic in the Northwest suburbs in places like Des Plaines, Mt. Prospect and Prospect Hts. CN spokesman Jim Kvedaras said traffic in Des Plaines would be reduced from 19 trains a day to two.
Some residents say Durbin is "on the wrong track." They complain that trains coming out of the yard and through local communities move slowly or stop on tracks causing major traffic congestion.
Durbin spokeswoman Christina Mulka responded, saying, "We're looking to open this dia logue, looking for a solution that addresses everyone's con cerns in all the communities not just the ones negatively impacted."
In September of last year the company pledged $100 million for infrastructure improvements.
Durbin, Harrison and Bean met last week in Durbin's Washington office.
"It's a good start," said Mulka. "The $40 million will pay for one or two crossings out of 130 plus in the area. We're looking for a greater commitment."