CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Several suburbs are joining forces in opposition to the planned merger of the Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern railroads. They said it will make life more difficult and, possibly, dangerous for residents along the Milwaukee Road West rail line.
Itasca Mayor John Pruyin said several west and northwest suburban communities have formed The Coalition to Stop CPKC.
“In total, our eight communities represent more than 300,000 residents and collectively have more than 50 at-grade crossings,” Pruyin said.
He said the suburbs of Itasca, Bartlett, Bensenville, Elgin, Hanover Park, Roselle, Schaumburg and Wood Dale know they have their work cut out for them.
“If we can’t stop it, I think we at least need some mitigation and standards which we will put in our application to have taken care of some of the issues we brought up,” Pruyin said.
The suburbs involved said long and more frequent freight trains likely from the merger would impact the communities’ economies, public safety and possibly the environment.
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