WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-1st, has filed a letter with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in opposition to CN's request that the STB issue a final decision on CN's pending acquisition of the EJ&E before the STB has completed its ongoing environmental impact study of the proposed deal.

"CN should stop wasting time with their cheap tricks," Visclosky said a statement released on Friday. "They have such a one-track mind that now they want the STB to circumvent the law. That's not how business is done in America and I will do everything I can to defend the rule of law."

CN's request "marks yet another request by CN for special treatment from the STB as the railroad pushes the STB to issue a final decision before CN's purchase agreement expires on Dec. 31, 20008," the statement said. "CN has repeatedly sought to limit the public's input in spite of the fact that public interest in the transaction has been unprecedented."

In his letter, Visclosky urges the STB top "reject CN's strong-arm tactics and proceed with the NEPA review in a deliberate and prudent manner and ensure that public input is heard and fully considered."

According to the statement, the proposed transaction would result in a "threefold" increase in rail traffic on the existing EJ&E line in Northwest Indiana and would "cause the average train length to increase from 2,590 feet to 6,321 feet. With as many as 34 trains per day running on the track, it would bisect communities, impede the flow of automobile traffic, and create a considerable safety concern."

"The proposed acquisition also would create new obstacles to economic development initiatives such as the expansion of the South Shore Line and the expansion of Gary/Chicago International Airport," the statement added.

"I remain strongly opposed to the CN/EJ&E transaction, which would deal a major blow to communities in Northwest Indiana," Visclosky said. "CN should stop playing games with the STB and try working with the affected communities in good faith."

Posted 8/25/2008