STB to keep closer eye on effects of CN/EJ&E merger

Written by jrood

The Surface Transportation Board is requesting feedback from Chicago-area communities affected by the merger of Canadian National Railway with the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Co. The Board will also audit CN's informational reports that the railroad is required to file with the STB as a condition of the merger.

On Jan. 20, the
Board is sending out questionnaires to elected officials
in the 33 communities in Illinois and Indiana affected by the merger as part of
its efforts to determine whether CN’s compliance reports are accurate and
complete. The Board is asking about train noise and vibration, train volumes
and street blockages, vehicle delays and traffic congestion at selected
rail/highway at-grade crossings, operational accidents, and identification
signs at crossings.

The Board has
tasked an independent, third-party consultant, HDR One Company of Omaha, Neb.,
to audit the informational reports CN has provided the Board and follow up on
concerns raised in the questionnaire answers. The Board will receive interim
progress reports from HDR with a final report scheduled to be completed by
March.

 "Today’s action is in direct response to
the concerns voiced by
local community and elected leaders," said STB Chairman Daniel R. Elliott III,
who has visited affected communities twice since being appointed last summer. "The
Board imposed an unprecedented number of environmental and safety conditions to
mitigate the harm to local communities. The oversight process offers a fair and
transparent way to assure that the railroad fully complies with these conditions."

The decision
and conditions are included in the decision Canadian National Ry. And Grand
Trunk Corp.,-Control-EJ&E West Co., STB Finance Docket No. 35087. Documents
are available at www.stb.dot.gov. The Board has also set up a Website on the
CN/EJ&E compliance and monitoring at www.stbfinancedocket35087.com.
The results of the questionnaires and the other activities listed above will be
posted mid-February.

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