Air your thoughts on railway buy

Officials from the communities of Aurora, Naperville and Plainfield say they can't understand why the agency that is charged with approving or denying the possible acquisition of the Elgin Joliet & Eastern rail line by Canadian National Railway Company is choosing to hold a public meeting about the sale seven miles from the nearest point on the EJ&E line when there are prime locations available within a quarter of a mile.

Further, officials say, when they approached the federal Surface Transportation Board about changing the location from West Aurora High School to Waubonsie Valley High School on Aurora's far east side, which is closer to the rail line and its numerous at-grade crossings, they were met with staunch opposition.

The meeting is scheduled to begin with an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, and continue with a public meeting during which residents can voice their opposition to the acquisition from 6 to 9 p.m. at West Aurora High School, 1201 W. New York St.

"As early as spring of this year, we asked the STB to schedule the meeting at Waubonsie Valley High School," said Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner. "When it was discovered they had reserved West Aurora High School, the affected communities made multiple calls to have it moved, but the STB was unwilling."

Aurora Ward 10 Alderman Lynda Elmore said it is unconscionable that the STB would schedule a meeting that deals with an issue that affects so many residents in a location that is so many miles from those affected residents.

"When the communities of Aurora, Naperville and Plainfield decided to hold an informational meeting on the issue, the first thing we did was call the Indian Prairie School District to inquire about the availability of Waubonsie Valley High School," Elmore said. "We wanted to make it convenient for our residents to learn about the issue. Now that it's time for them to speak about their concerns, the location could not be any more inconvenient."

Elmore added that officials with both West Aurora High School and Waubonsie Valley High School were willing to work with the STB to change the location.

"West Aurora High School officials were not aware of the issue to be discussed at the meeting when the STB reserved the high school," Weisner said. "After the July 23 'Call to Action' meeting that drew hundreds of concerned residents, West Aurora officials began to express concerns about the large number of people who might attend the Sept. 9 meeting."

Naperville Councilman Darlene Senger sharply criticized the STB, stating, "It is a shame that a public process cannot be held in a location the public can easily attend. In my opinion this is arrogance, and/or lack of understanding by those who are running the show, the STB. Consider this a wake up call as to the type of board we are working with."

Weisner said the location choice shows that the STB is "unconcerned about the impact their decision will have on local communities.

"Whoever decided to choose a spot that was seven miles from the nearest point on the line either knew very little about the affected area or just didn't care. This location is not only out of the way for Aurorans near the EJ&E line, it is hugely inconvenient for Naperville, Warrenville and Plainfield residents."

Canadian National plans to quadruple the number of freight trains on the EJ&E line as well as increase their average length. Communities up and down the rail line are concerned about longer waits at at-grade rail crossings which will in turn hamper the movement of school buses, emergency vehicles and commuter traffic. Other concerns are vibration, pollution and the possibility of more accidents.

An additional concern to many communities is the staggering cost of grade separations that will be necessary. The cost of a single overpass or underpass can be $50 million to $100 million and that cost would fall upon taxpayers, Weisner said.

The STB has scheduled similar meetings in Matteson, Mundelein, Barrington, Chicago, Bartlett and Joliet, Illinois, and Gary, Ind.

Speakers will be allocated up to three minutes to present comments.