Commend Barrington for addressing problem

In reading letters about funding for the Lake Zurich Road realignment and Northwest Highway's grade separation, some claims don't add up.

I'm concerned that progress on these road improvements is being second guessed for no clear purpose

1. The Barrington Area Library Board did sign off on plans for the Lake Zurich Road realignment and grade separation. Now, it seems they're concerned about the timing of the Lake Zurich portion because the grade separation isn't completely funded yet.

But it seems shortsighted to reject initial funding that paves the way for the grade separation just because all the money isn't in place yet.

2. Anyone believing there are regulatory "requirements for a mandatory grade separation" that the federal Surface Transportation Board must act upon is mistaken. After following the issue for the last decade, I know that the STB can do as little or as much as it feels like when it comes to mitigating the problems associated with CN's freight operations.

The need for a grade separation is demonstrated by the investment of $21.9 million in transportation funding to begin this project.

While I'm no happier than anyone that taxpayers are picking up the tab for these projects, it was the STB's decision - not Barrington's preference - that is saddling taxpayers with this cost.

3. Finally, the Great Lakes Beltway Line will not take CN freight operations out of the village because the EJ&E is a rail asset entirely in CN's control and one for which they've invested over $300 million. They have no incentive to shift operations.

When it seems like government entities often take a short-term perspective to handling problems, the fact that Barrington is, and has been, trying to take care of things before they reach a crisis state is wholly commendable.

Paul Hunt

Barrington,