Needed action to ease train congestion

The West Central Municipal Conference would like to express our support of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway (EJ&E) purchase by Canadian National (CN). The West Central Municipal Conference (WCMC) is a regional council of governments (COG) serving the communities of west suburban Cook County. The WCMC serves over 36 municipalities, covering 200 square miles situated between the city of Chicago and collar counties surrounding Cook County.

The Chicagoland rail system serves as the hub of the nation's rail system with one-third of the nation's freight rail traffic traveling through the region daily. Approximately 1,200 trains (freight, commuter and passenger) pass through the area and local towns each and every day. Local communities in conjunction with the Chicago Region Environmental And Transportation Efficiency program (CREATE) have been actively pursuing efforts to improve the entire system and alleviate congestion. By allowing CN to acquire the EJ&E and reroute their trains we will be able to relieve some of the immediate congestion issues while the CREATE program continues its effort to improve our rail system to allow freight to move more efficiently through the region.

Chicagoland communities and residents have felt the effects of congested freight traffic for years. Less congested rail lines will allow freight to move more efficiently through our region and cars will have shorter delays at train crossings. The EJ&E purchase will allow much needed relief for our communities that have for decades struggled with the negative impacts of freight congestion.

The EJ&E acquisition needs to be examined from a regional perspective. Both the positive and negative impacts on all the communities in the Chicago region need to be considered. We hope that as this purchase moves forward a balanced and fair approach will be taken to resolve the freight congestion problem.

Richard F. Pellegrini

Executive Director

West Central Municipal Conference

River Grove