Post by warriorpride on Sept 24, 2008 12:03:54 GMT -5
Indian Prairie Superintendent Dr. Stephen Daeschner spoke at a recent Surface Transportation Board hearing regarding the proposed purchase of the EJ and E rail line by Canadian National. Dr. Daeschner addressed the impact that increased rail traffic will have on the district's transportation system.
As the third largest district in the state, Indian Prairie transports 17,500 students each day. The rail line in question stretches more than 11 miles through the district with seven schools located within a half mile of the tracks. There are two grade-level crossings of particular concern. School buses cross the Ogden Avenue tracks a total of 164 times each day and the Montgomery Avenue tracks 139 times each day. If the proposed sale goes through, there is an expected increase not only in the number of trains traveling though the community, but also in train length. Gate closures are anticipated to increase up to 10 minutes per train. Delays created by rail traffic will impact students arrival to school as well as their timely return home.
There are several ways community members can voice their concerns about the proposed rail purchase.
Contact Congress regarding H.R. 6707, a bill entitling federal authorities to deny approval of rail purchases when public costs outweigh transportation benefits and to impose strict mitigation conditions upon any approved purchase after August 1, 2008. More information on H.R.6707 is online at frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h6707ih.txt.pdf
Contact the following House legislators and ask them to pass H.R. 6707 before Congress adjourns:
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar, 202-225-6211
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, www.speaker.gov/contact
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, www.majorityleader.gov/email_and_rss/email_the_leader
House Minority Leader John Boehner, republicanleader.house.gov/Contact/
U.S. Representative Judy Biggert, judybiggert.house.gov/ContactJudy.aspx
Community members also have until September 30 to contact the Surface Transportation Board regarding their assessment of the proposed purchase. This is the final opportunity to voice an opinion before the STB rules on this matter. You must reference Docket No. FD-35087 when you contact the STB in one of the following ways:
Submit electronic comments at: www.stb.dot.gov/Ect1/ecorrespondence.nsf/incoming?OpenForm
Call 1-800-347-0689 and leave a recorded message.
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School District 204
www.ipsd.org
780 Shoreline Drive
Aurora, IL 60504
USA
As the third largest district in the state, Indian Prairie transports 17,500 students each day. The rail line in question stretches more than 11 miles through the district with seven schools located within a half mile of the tracks. There are two grade-level crossings of particular concern. School buses cross the Ogden Avenue tracks a total of 164 times each day and the Montgomery Avenue tracks 139 times each day. If the proposed sale goes through, there is an expected increase not only in the number of trains traveling though the community, but also in train length. Gate closures are anticipated to increase up to 10 minutes per train. Delays created by rail traffic will impact students arrival to school as well as their timely return home.
There are several ways community members can voice their concerns about the proposed rail purchase.
Contact Congress regarding H.R. 6707, a bill entitling federal authorities to deny approval of rail purchases when public costs outweigh transportation benefits and to impose strict mitigation conditions upon any approved purchase after August 1, 2008. More information on H.R.6707 is online at frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h6707ih.txt.pdf
Contact the following House legislators and ask them to pass H.R. 6707 before Congress adjourns:
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar, 202-225-6211
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, www.speaker.gov/contact
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, www.majorityleader.gov/email_and_rss/email_the_leader
House Minority Leader John Boehner, republicanleader.house.gov/Contact/
U.S. Representative Judy Biggert, judybiggert.house.gov/ContactJudy.aspx
Community members also have until September 30 to contact the Surface Transportation Board regarding their assessment of the proposed purchase. This is the final opportunity to voice an opinion before the STB rules on this matter. You must reference Docket No. FD-35087 when you contact the STB in one of the following ways:
Submit electronic comments at: www.stb.dot.gov/Ect1/ecorrespondence.nsf/incoming?OpenForm
Call 1-800-347-0689 and leave a recorded message.
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School District 204
www.ipsd.org
780 Shoreline Drive
Aurora, IL 60504
USA