CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Veterans groups that oppose a massive truck-warehousing proposal for the Joliet area are calling on all veterans to oppose it .
Truck traffic is already a major concern for those traveling along Route 53 near the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, but if the North Point project is built, thousands more trucks per day are expected.
Medal of Honor recipient Allen Lynch and his foundation are among those in opposition to the proposal.
“Could you imagine this being built at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia?” he said.
Lynch said that when he first heard about the project and that it is right across Route 53 from the national cemetery, he couldn’t believe it.
“Here we have the nation’s second largest veterans cemetery in the country, right here in Joliet, and now, they want to build an intermodal transportation network that is five times the size of Midway Airport," he said.
And, to North Point’s response that the veterans don’t have any legal standing to challenge the project, Lynch disagrees.
“Not only do we have standing as veterans, but we have standing for those who can no longer stand for themselves," Lynch said.
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Andrew Tangen, Superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County said it’s estimated an extra 3,000-5,000 more trucks per day could roll through the area to and from the proposed logistics park. He said that would infringe upon those heading to the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in funeral processions, as well as those visiting the grave sites of loved ones.
“The concern of the Lynch Foundation and the Veterans Assistance Commissions of the state of Illinois is focused like a laser on protecting this sacred ground,” Tangen said.
Bob Fioretti, an attorney for the Stop NorthPoint Coalition asks that Governor JB Pritzker deny permission for the construction of a mile long bridge that would be part of the project.
Of the development in total, Fioretti said, “It’s actually very huge and the impact upon the cemetery and on the prairie itself is just going to be catastrophic for all concerned.”