CN completes construction of Griffith, Ind., rail connection

Canadian National Railway has completed construction of the first major rail connection built as part of the continuing integration of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E) that, when all connections are constructed, will enhance the fluidity of train movements along CN routes in the greater Chicago area. The new $5-million connection at Griffith, Ind., creates an efficient, direct route for CN freight trains moving between Kirk Yard in Gary, Ind., and points farther east on the company's rail network. CN, which completed its purchase of the EJ&E on Jan. 31, 2009, is investing more than $100 million in infrastructure improvements to integrate the EJ&E into its other lines in Chicago. The integration also includes building new rail connections at Mundelein, Ill., Bartlett, Ill., Joliet, Ill., and Matteson, Ill. Engineering or construction work is now under way on the balance of the connection projects. Jim Vena, CN senior vice-president, Southern Region, said: "CN is pleased to have reached this milestone and finished the first major EJ&E connection project. This connection is a significant step toward our goal of fully utilizing the EJ&E and providing improved rail fluidity in Chicago." The Griffith connection project, started in late 2009, was completed Nov. 19, 2010. Three trains per day operate over the new connection, which links CN's South Bend Subdivision with the Matteson Subdivision leading to Kirk Yard. Also, CN has reached a voluntary mitigation agreement (VMA) with the Village of New Lenox, Ill., located approximately 36 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, regarding its acquisition of the EJ&E. With this agreement, CN has VMAs with almost 80 per cent of the 33 communities along the EJ&E in Illinois and Indiana. CN will provide New Lenox funding for the creation of a quiet zone, noise and safety mitigation, communications and emergency response training. Vena said: "CN is pleased to have come to terms with the New Lenox on this mitigation agreement, which is the 26th VMA signed by CN with communities on the EJ&E line. We believe negotiated settlements like the one with New Lenox will help to establish solid ties between CN and the communities through which it operates on the EJ&E and ensure effective lines of communication in the future." CN is also working closely with the few remaining communities on the EJ&E that do not have agreements with CN to ensure implementation of safety and environmental conditions in accordance with the requirements of the Surface Transportation Board.