Durbin: Canadian National Commitment to Amtrak Falls Short, Lacks Funding for Rail Modernization

Press Release

Durbin: Canadian National Commitment to Amtrak Falls Short, Lacks Funding for Rail Modernization

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement in response to a March 10, 2008 letter from Canadian National CEO E. Hunter Harrison to Amtrak President and CEO Alex Kummant regarding the proposed acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E).

"Canadian National's purchase of the EJ&E will have a dramatic impact on the Chicago region. If the transaction goes through as proposed, it could threaten the STAR Line and Amtrak expansion in Illinois."

"I appreciate that Mr. Harrison recognizes the importance of passenger rail in Illinois, but his commitment to Amtrak has fallen short. As it stands, CN's plan would effectively eliminate a rail line critical to the operation of six daily Amtrak trains. But there are practical ways to minimize this risk."

"First, CN must allow Amtrak's continued use of the Air Line Route at no additional cost until the Grand Crossing Route is complete to avoid undue taxpayer burden for this service. Second, CN must commit to funding the Grand Crossing Route construction to ensure the continued success of Amtrak service in and out of Chicago."

"I look forward to facilitating a workable solution by keeping a dialogue open between CN, Amtrak and members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation."

On February 28, 2008, Durbin received a letter from Kummant explaining similar concerns about the purchase of the EJ&E Railway and the potential impact on Amtrak service. Last year, Illinois Amtrak routes - particularly the route from Chicago through Champaign and Carbondale - had the greatest increase in ridership of any Amtrak route in the national system -- a 67.4 percent increase. Building a new connection between the CN and the Norfolk Southern Railroad at Grand Crossing (near 75th St. in Chicago) would protect Amtrak's southern routes and improve the on-time performance of Amtrak trains. To date, however, CN has declined to make any commitment to this project and has instead left Amtrak's future operations in question.

On March 5, 2008, Durbin and Congresswoman Melissa Bean (D-IL) met with the CEO of Canadian National (CN), E. Hunter Harrison in Washington, DC, to reiterate their concerns. This meeting followed a request from Durbin on February 15 for the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to expand its environment impact analysis of the sale and hold public hearings in affected towns.

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