Impact
- Public Safety
- Environmental
- Infrastructure
Public Safety
Freight trains are expected to be approximately 10,000-ft. in length and will increase from 6/day to 28/day.
[Printable Map] EJ&E tracks go through the middle of Frankfort:
- One two-lane grade separation at Rte. 45.
- Six at-grade crossings
With one train traveling through town every 51 minutes, emergency vehicle response times will be impacted.
A 400% increase in trains means a 400% increase in the chance of a train accident with motor vehicles, pedestrians or bicyclists.
Read:
Environmental
The 400% increase in rail traffic will create 400% more delays at rail crossings
- Increased train engine exhaust fumes
- Increased whistle, engine and wheel noise
- Increased vibration
Infrastructure Cost
The Northeast Illinois Plan Commission estimates that Frankfort's population will be 55,000 in 2030. Road underpasses could be warranted at Harlem Avenue and Wolf Road and certainly the current grade separation at Route 45 would need to be widened. If CN is not ordered to pay for these now, then taxpayers of the United States, the State of Illinois, local counties and the Village of Frankfort will eventually have to bear this cost. A four lane grade separation at Harlem could cost as much as $40 million. Even a simple two lane separation at Wolf would cost at least $15 million.
CN made $2 billion in profit last year on revenues of $8 billion. This business is extremely profitable, and they propose to spend no more than $40 million on infrastructure improvements, leaving the rest to the taxpayers of the United States. If the Surface Transportation Board approves the acquisition, then they should require CN to pay for all of the infrastructure improvements.
