RTA picks apart report on EJ&E sale

Regional Transportation Authority leaders Monday were underwhelmed by a draft report from federal regulators assessing the impact of the Canadian National Railway buying up the smaller EJ&E railroad.

If the Surface Transportation Board approves the merger, CN would move more freight trains from its Chicago tracks onto the EJ&E, which runs in a semicircle through the suburbs between Waukegan and Gary, Ind.

Towns along the EJ&E are protesting the move for fear of traffic delays, safety problems and environmental concerns. However, CN contends the move will benefit the region as a whole by easing a freight bottleneck in Chicago.

An RTA staff analysis expected to be sent to the STB before a Sept. 30 deadline suggests federal regulators gave short shrift to the STAR line. The future suburb-to-suburb commuter rail line is intended to travel along EJ&E tracks between Joliet and Hoffman Estates, but the merger could jeopardize the plan.

The agency recommends the STB require CN to work out a deal with Metra to ensure future commuter rail operations are a priority.

RTA staff also warn that CN's plans might saturate the EJ&E lines and interfere with Metra trains crossing those tracks. They ask the STB to monitor the situation for a decade plus consider penalties against CN if delays ensue.

In addition, the RTA supports requiring CN to contribute to a fund that would pay for remedies, such as underpasses or overpasses, to problems caused by more trains on the EJ&E.

Several agency directors said railroads should pay more for mitigation instead of the lion's share coming from state and federal governments.

"It's archaic," said Director Jan Carlson, who represents Kane County. "The whole idea railroads should depend on government to subsidize their profitable operations is wrong."