Meanwhile, Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) on Monday sent an email to constituents saying their opportunity to submit public comments on the issue had been extended until 5 p.m. Wednesday. O'Shea asked that residents carefully craft emails about how heavy rail traffic on the CSX rail line has made them late for work, missed picking up children from school or other such incidents.
The Far Southwest Side alderman made his initial request for such letters on Feb. 17. Thus far, 60 such complaints have been filed. He said Monday he's hoping to have at least 100 documented cases from residents with issues related to the rail line.
The latest development follows legal action last month from O'Shea along with the mayor of suburban Evergreen Park. Their petition seeks fines and sanctions against CSX for breaking promises made when acquiring the Elsdon line.
CSX has also long owned the Blue Island Spur Line, which runs parallel with Rockwell Street in the 19th Ward. The deal to also buy the Elsdon line saw the
Jacksonville, Fla.-based rail conglomerate bisect the neighborhood while also ramping up train traffic, according to state Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-18th), who refused to discuss the campaign contributions he has accepted from CSX.
Jacksonville, Fla.-based rail conglomerate bisect the neighborhood while also ramping up train traffic, according to state Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-18th), who refused to discuss the campaign contributions he has accepted from CSX.
The letters from federal lawmakers follow a specific request for such help dating back to Sept. 15 when O'Shea and a coalition of local elected leaders reached out to their counterparts in Washington.
Of specific concern was the blocked crossings on 95th Street that hamper access to Little Company of Mary Hospital in suburban Evergreen Park and Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Durbin, Kirk and Lipinski all mention this as an issue of relevance in their letters to the board.
For its part, CSX is supposed to break trains into two parts when expecting to block traffic for more than 10 minutes, according to the city. But this hasn't happened, nor has the company submitted its quarterly compliance reports with federal regulators, the city stated after its legal action.
I also want to urge the Alderman to look at the number of chemical tank cars being hauled through the neighborhood. One estimate last fall, put that number at 5000 per week.
How much $$ did Csx give to cunninghamn?
ReplyDeleteIts immaterial. i bet he is sorry now
DeleteSorry, I don't buy the sudden overly concerned attitude of these politicians. All of them were standing their with their hands out and grabbing the money from CSX. Did they ever wonder why CSX was giving them so much money? What did they think CSX was going to do. Be a good neighbor?
DeleteCSX is a ruthless corporation that will do anything to enhance profits. That includes increasing rail traffic (including tank cars) as needed, blocking streets and paying politicians via campaign contributions, to look the other way. They have been doing this because until just recently, they thought they had everyone in the bag.
Maybe the politicians should send a clear message to CSX by sending their contributions back.
Overpasses and underpasses work. Both of these lines are elevated further north.
ReplyDeleteThe increased train traffic is because CN and CP decided it was cheaper to run trains in the US instead of through Canada.
ReplyDeleteWhat improvements have they made up north. They both abandoned the Ottawa Valley lines?
From what I can tell the former Milwaukee single track is also plugged with traffic.
This is not going to get better unit the government acts.
Former RR Exec
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteThis is all about the coming elections:
ReplyDelete1. Appeasing voters and
2. Collecting campaign donations from both sides.
It will all be forgotten after the elections.
perhaps not
DeleteAGREED.
ReplyDelete