Frequently Asked Questions about START: Solutions To Area Rail Traffic

Q: What is START and what is its objective?

A: START (Solutions To Area Rail Traffic) is an independent coalition of local governments, elected officials, business organizations, community groups and transportation experts. The coalition’s objective is to address serious rail congestion issues that plague the Chicago region by helping to ensure that the CN’s proposed acquisition of the EJ&E is approved by the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

Q: What is the EJ&E?

A: The EJ&E (Elgin, Joliet and Eastern) railway is an underutilized rail line that rings around the city of Chicago beginning in Waukegan and ending in Gary, Indiana. If the transaction is approved, CN would divert its freight train traffic from the congested urban rail lines in Chicago to the EJ&E, thus making for a more efficient rail network.

Q: Why is the EJ&E transaction important to the Chicago region?

A: By significantly relieving rail congestion, the EJ&E transaction will go a long way toward helping protect the Chicago region’s status as the rail hub of North America. It is estimated that rail transportation in the Chicago region touches 5 million jobs nationwide every year, $782 billion in output and $217 billion in wages. Moreover, if rail capacity is not addressed, studies suggest that Chicago will lose $2 billion in production with as many as 17,000 jobs being impacted over the next two decades.

Q: What is the status of the transaction?

A: On July 25, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) which identified how the transaction would affect the environment if approved. A series of public hearings have been scheduled to receive public input regarding the Draft EIS. To attend a public meeting and make your voice heard in favor of the transaction, please click on the link below:

www.stb.dot.gov/newsrels.nsf/cee25ffbd056e9d1852565330043f0d6/3d965d70cbed6bf58525749100457581?OpenDocument

Q: Who is leading START?

A: START’s co-chairs include Tony Arredia, Mayor of the Village of Des Plaines; Don De Graff, Mayor of the Village of South Holland; Mike Einhorn, President of the Village of Crete; Richard N. Scheck, Mayor of the Village of North Riverside and Jack Wiaduck, President of the Village of Riverside.

Q: Where can I go to learn more about START?

A: A Web site will soon be available at HYPERLINK "http://www.startcoalition.org" www.startcoalition.org. Check this Web site regularly for news, updates and calls to action.

Q: Why should I join START?

A: With increasing signs of economic stagnation, it is vitally important that we protect and strengthen our economic assets including the Chicago region’s rail system. If approved, the EJ&E transaction would provide for a more efficient rail network that will ensure goods reach their destinations – and ultimately consumers – more quickly and more economically. Beyond helping regional economic development, the transaction would bring rail congestion relief to more than 60 suburban communities throughout the region as well as the city of Chicago itself.

Q: How can I support the EJ&E transaction?

A: The best way to show your support is to write a letter of support to the STB, which currently reviewing the transaction. Visit take action for more information.