On the recordJuly 29, 2010
I strongly support the renewed focus and investment in our Nation's critical rail infrastructure. Yet I continue to have grave concerns about the impacts of freight rail traffic on communities whose road infrastructure was not designed to accommodate increased levels of rail traffic. In communities in my district in Illinois, those concerns include blocked crossings that cause traffic bottlenecks; safety threats due to decreased mobility of emergency responders; safety issues due to increased car volumes and speeds; noise and air pollution; and interference with proposed commuter rail expansions. The recent acquisition of the EJ&E by Canadian National promises to significantly increase daily rail traffic. This would necessitate construction of over a dozen grade separations, like underpasses and overpasses, to ensure adequate safety and traffic flow. With each construction project estimated at costs of tens of millions of dollars, the impact of this federally approved rail transaction rises to the level of regional and national significance. Municipalities like Barrington and others along the EJ&E need DOT funding to help their communities continue to function which is why we need a multiyear surface transportation reauthorization moving forward to address such needs nationwide.
