CN/ EJ&E Railway Issue

January 30, 2008

Surface Transportation Board

395 E Street, SW

Washington, DC  20423-0001

Attention:  Phillis Johnson-Ball

Environmental Filing,

STB Finance Docket No. 35087

Dear Ms. Johnson-Ball,

I am writing on behalf of a majority of the 498 member businesses in the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce representing the communities of Lake Zurich, Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer, Deer Park, Long Grove, and North Barrington, to express our opposition to the Canadian National’s (CN) proposed acquisition of the EJ&E Railway.

It is our collective opinion that the substantial increase in the number and length of freight trains crossing the seven at-grade crossings in the villages we represent will impose undue safety hazards and hardship on the businesses and residents we represent.

The proposed increase of up to 20 freight trains per day would create substantial traffic delays throughout our villages.  These delays will cause an estimated 64,000 (per Illinois Department of Transportation 2007 daily traffic counts) vehicles traveling on Main Street through downtown Lake Zurich, Old Rand Road also through downtown, Cuba Road, Ela Road, Old McHenry Road, and Gilmer Road to sit idle for up to an estimated 3+ hours per day (20.3 trains x 10 minutes per crossing = 203 minutes / 60 = 3.38 hours).

These idling cars will create considerable exhaust in the downtown area which will have an adverse affect on pedestrian traffic, outdoor dining, and other outdoor areas like the library’s outdoor reading patios.

In addition, the unauthorized turn a-rounds by motorists tired and upset by the delays will create hazards to pedestrians and other motorists.   We are also concerned for the safety of pedestrians crossing the tracks in downtown Lake Zurich, especially school children on their way to or from school and the thousands of people who attend the several festivals held downtown each year.

These substantial delays, safety risks and increased environmental hazards will encourage consumers and businesses to look for more convenient and friendly environments in which to conduct business.  Approval of this proposal will adversely affect the favorable business environment we’ve diligently worked so hard to create over the years.

Should the sale be approved, we request consideration of the specific mitigation requests submitted by the Village of Lake Zurich in their letter of opposition dated January 25, 2008, including but not limited to:

• Improved pedestrian crossing gates at all minor at-grade crossings.
• Construction of overpasses and/or underpasses at the following at-grade crossings:
• Gilmer Road
• Old McHenry Road
• Oakwood Road
• East Main Street
• Old Rand Road
• Ela Road
• Cuba Road
• Install attractive and lasting sound barriers to mitigate sound and prevent egress and ingress onto railroad right-of-ways, specifically along the high school property which abuts the tracks.
• Implement “Quite Zones” throughout the entire area.
• Rail improvements such as rubberized rail crossings, quarter-mile welded rail, and smart pavers to mitigate noise and reduce derailment risks.
• Written agreement to minimize road blockage and interruptions during peak road traffic periods.
• Detailed schedules of rail traffic provided to emergency and non-emergency dispatch to help minimize delays in emergency response times.
• And finally, no delay or disruption in current and future negotiations and proposed plans for the STAR Line commuter rail service through Lake Zurich.

These and other mitigation requests as detailed in the Village of Lake Zurich letter should be implemented by CN at no cost to the Village of Lake Zurich.

I would like to conclude by again requesting that you consider denying the proposed purchase of the EJ&E Rail by CN.   The environmental impact of this transaction to the businesses and residents of our communities would create undue hardship and irrevocable financial harm to our area.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 847-438-5572 or at dperrin@lzacc.com.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Dale Perrin,

Executive Director