There's no way to justify CN deal

In regard to the recent letter criticizing Mayor Karen Darch of Barrington for her stand against the CN Railroad acquisition, perhaps the writer is not fully aware of what this means to Barrington, as well as several surrounding communities. Did you know that people from Crystal Lake, Cary, Fox River Grove, Island Lake and Wauconda commute down Route 59/Barrington Road every day through the Village of Barrington?

The traffic is stop-and-go for over a mile every morning and evening. There are two at-grade railroad crossings on Route 59/Barrington Road in the center of town.

Did you know that people from Algonquin, Carpentersville, Lake in the Hills, Dundee use Lake Cook Road through the center of Barrington, which has two at-grade railroad crossings for commuter and freight trains now? Did you know Route 14/Northwest Highway has a freight train at-grade crossing in Barrington? When one of these milelong freights goes through our town all three of these roads are blocked. Picture an ambulance trying to get to you in an emergency with absolutely no way to get around for at least six minutes.

The idea that other towns will see a reduction in freight traffic is flawed - that will only be temporary. No one seems to mention that after 2-3 years, the number will go back up in those areas too.

Besides, many of those towns have overpasses and underpasses. Barrington will have three or more major roads blocked at once more that 20 times a day. Imagine the danger of teenagers running late for school and trying to beat another freight train. Imagine paramedics or firemen held up trying to get to an emergency. Imagine our small town as a ghost town.

This is why we oppose this merger. It will destroy our town, as it did to many small towns in Western Canada where CN now runs its trains.

Should Barrington be sacrificed for the good of a foreign company? How can you justify this?

Lauren DeJesu

Trustee, Lake Barrington