McHenry County Blog

I find it fascinating that Canadian National, the railroad that wants to skirt Chicago's track bottleneck by buying the circumferential EJ&E Railroad has found McHenry County Blog.

I got an email this past week alerting me to its detective work.

Yesterday, a copy of a letter to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Congresswoman Melissa Bean offering a concession to Amtrak and offering to continue working with Metra on a North-South commuter line. It also agrees to $40 million in grade crossing mitigation.

Nothing for local residents who might have to sit behind behind railroad crossing gates in Downtown Barrington or Cuba Road, but it does seem to indicate some negotiating room.

It is interesting that CN President E. Hunter Harrison goes to where he perceives the power lies—the Federal government.

Of course, he is right. Local folks have precious little power in matters like this.

But, that won't stop them from putting up a fight.

Canadian National rejects

"build(iing) a new rail line further outside the metropolitan Chicago area in lieu of acquiring the EJ&E," say, in McHenry County or points west.

The Lake Zurich Cuba Road grade crossing picture and those of Durbin and Bean, are, of course, not part of his letter):

E. Hunter Harrison,
President and Chief Executive Officer
www.cn.ca
935 de La Gauchetiere Street West
Montreal, Quebec H3B 2M9
Canada
T 514-399-4800
F 514-399-6896

March 7, 2008

The Honorable Richard Durbin
Majority Whip
United States Senate
SH-309 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Melissa Bean
U.S. House of Representatives
318 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Senator Durbin and Congresswoman Bean,

Thank you for meeting with me on March 5 to discuss CN's proposed acquisition of the major portion of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E). I appreciated having the opportunity to present CN's perspective on the importance of this transaction to efficient rail transportation in the Chicago region.

I must say, however, that I was disappointed by your mischaracterization in your joint press release of the outcome of the meeting. You expressed concern about the transaction in three areas, and in all of these areas, as described below, I believed our discussion was productive.

Amtrak - CN committed last month to allow Amtrak to remain indefinitely on the St. Charles Airline after CN's trains are rerouted off of this line onto the EJ&E, thereby preserving Amtrak's access to Chicago's Union Station and Amtrak's ability to continue to provide service to and from downstate Illinois points such as Champaign and Carbondale. To remove any uncertainty for Amtrak about the maintenance costs for which they would be responsible after CN ceases freight operations on this line, I agreed during our meeting to cap the costs to Amtrak for maintaining this line at the current level, indexed for inflation in future years. CN has conveyed this commitment to Amtrak as well.

Metra - Contrary to the statement in your release, this transaction does not endanger Metra's proposed STARLine. CN remains willing to work with Metra on the STARLine and is willing to explore all options for this service, including the use of enhanced EJ&E rail lines. As we discussed, the timing and implementation of STAR Line service remains subject to numerous variables, including securing government funding, but CN is committed to continuing our positive discussions with Metra on the STARLine.

Community Impacts - CN recognizes the effects of increased freight train traffic in the communities along the EJ&E line, and CN is meeting with these communities to discuss a range of reasonable mitigation options that will enable the transaction to proceed while also addressing community concerns.

At the same time, we are fully cooperating with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) as it considers our transaction and prepares its Environmental Impact statement.

As I mentioned during our meeting, the respective specific mitigation measures that will be needed in each community are still being determined, but CN anticipates investing roughly $40 million for mitigation efforts. In response to your suggestions that CN either fund all mitigation for communities along the line, whether or not the requests are reasonable, or build a new rail line further outside the metropolitan Chicago area in lieu of acquiring the EJ&E, I said that CN could not agree to such proposals. CN will, however, entertain all reasonable mitigation requests, and we are engaged with local stakeholders to this end. I would hardly characterize CN's active efforts with communities as showing "indifference" to community concerns, as your press release charges.

At the end of our meeting, you both asked that we keep the dialogue open as this transaction proceeds through the STB process. I am happy to continue to engage in such dialogue. I would only ask, however, that you consider the broader public interest as well as the needs of specific communities as we seek to develop solutions that will meet community needs while also reducing rail congestion in the Chicago region and enhancing the efficiency of rail operations.

Sincerely,
E. Hunter Harrison
President and
Chief Executive Officer

cc: Alex Kummant, Amtrak
Philip Pagano, Metra

Chicago Tribune columnist Dennis Byrne weighed in yesterday on the "broader public interest" that Harrison wants considered.

Labels: Amtrak, Canadian Northern, CN, E. Hunter Harrison, EJ and E

The Union Pacific freight train that was roaring through Marengo with horns blasting a little after noon Saturday was not a precursor of Amtrak service to McHenry County.

That was made abundantly clear at a Rockford College presentation Saturday morning.

The once-a-day round trip Amtrak engines and coaches are on the track from Chicago to Rockford and Dubuque though.

They’re picking up speed, but not through McHenry County.

There was a clue late last week when U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s press release announcing Saturday’s meeting did not even mention McHenry County.

McHenry County officials from Huntley and Marengo attended anyway.

Under the aegis of Durbin and Congressman Don Manzullo, Amtrak officials presented the results of a study stimulated by a meeting last July.

There were three alternative routes, but the old Blackhawk route to Dubuque is the one that is so, so most likely to be selected.

Its major problem is “some congestion issues around Chicago,” where there is a need for “additional capacity.” The cost would be about $23 million for what the Amtrak chart calls the “direct route” with estimated annual ridership of 113,300 passengers.

The “Belvidere” route, which would go through Huntley and Marengo, has “no connection between Metra and Union Pacific in Elgin” and would need “a connector in Rockford.” The cost would be $32 million and the number of passengers 62,200.

Part of the route through the Rockford Airport is so bad that it would require “a complete rebuilding” and the “East is quite poor,” Franke said. The cost would be $55-62 million with 51,200.

The old Blackhawk route is the cheapest and Durbin, Manzullo and Acting Illinois Department of Transportation Director Milt Sees want action now. A cursory glance shows construction cost of $200 per annual passenger, while the Belvidere route is in the neighborhood of $513 and the airport route $1,100-1,200.

On capital cost, then, there is no question that the “direct route” is cheapest.

It wins on annual operating cost, too. The Belvidere route is 1.2 times as expensive, while the airport route is 1.24 times higher.

In absolute dollars of annual subsidy, however, the difference between the three is only $600,000.

The congress folks and IDOT want action so “now” that the public hearing will be on Monday, April 16th!

That’s two weeks from now.

And, disagreement is likely to kill the possibilities.

As Sees put it,

I, too, have been in this racket for a long time. The only way for people to get their projects is to agree.

Anytime you get into a protracted debate, you lose time and time increases money.

The window of opportunity can close on you very rapidly.

You have to help them help you,

Sees said, indicating the two congressmen.

Rockford Mayor Larry Morrisey, whose city wins regardless of which route is selected, said, “We don’t want to be fighting against ourselves. We look forward to rail coming to our communities.”

After Amtrak’s Mike Franke indicated service could be started as soon as two years from now, assuming negotiations with the railroad go well, Drubin said, “I’d sure hate to waste this construction season.”

Durbin called for “a spirit of cooperation,” for "not letting the best become the enemy of the good."

Other problems include the need for train stations.

“It’s going to be up to the locals to build the stations,” Franke said. “Five or six stations make sense.”

“Don’t come to us for earmarks for stations,” Manzullo warned.

There would be “no food service” and “the supply of Amtrak rolling stock is extremely tight.”

If Amtrak is to supply them, they will “have to be taken out of storage and rehabbed.”

Only one ordinary citizen was allowed to speak.

Janet Fisher, describing herself as “The Crazy Train Lady,” said, “I’m just thrilled with all of this. If we get something in place, it will blossom and grow.”

Manzullo wanted to know if the train could be used for commuting from Rockford to Chicago. He was told that the trip would take an hour and 45 minutes, leaving Rockford early enough for commuters and leaving Chicago at 6:15 in the evening for the return trip.

Manzullo made a point of stating,

There is not one passenger train that operates (without a subsidy).

Two of the people allowed to speak were state representatives.

Republican State Representative Dave Winters asked whether this effort could be part of the effort to extend Amtrak service to Minneapolis.

He got a “No” for an answer.

At one point, when Durbin was pointing out that it would take state legislation to change the "footprint" of Metra, Winters indicated that "very informal" talks were taking place that would apparently give the Rockford Airport Authority the power to deal with trains.

It is my impression that the Rockford Airport Authority has significant non-referendum bonding authority. Maybe local influentials intend to use that power to get money to pay for local Amtrak track repairs.

Rockford Democratic Party State Representative Chuck Jefferson was the final speaker. He was effusive in his praise of Durbin.

Also introduced was Boone County’s Republican State Rep. Ron Wait.

Attending from McHenry County were Huntley Village President Chuck Sass and Village Manager Carl Tomaso, plus Marengo Mayor Don Lockhart and City Administrator Scott Hartman.

None got an opportunity to speak at the forum.

= = = = =
The Union Pacific train was on the track speeding through Marengo right after noon.

Next can be seen the three routes being considered and the table showing the cost figures for each route.

Acting IDOT Secretary Milt Sees is below on the right.

Rockford Mayor Larry Morrisey is down to the left with Senator Dick Durbin's picture to his right.

Underneath is a photography of Congressman Don Manzullo.

Below her is "Crazy Train Lady" Janet Fisher.

The three state legislators attending come next. On top, at the left, is Dave Winters. Below him is Chuck Jefferson. To Jefferson's right is Ron Wait.

Beneath the photo credit line are pictures of Huntley Village President Chuck Sass and his Village Manager Carl Tomaso leaving the meeting.

Next is a "before meeting" shot of Belvidere Mayor Fred Brereton and Marengo Mayor Don Lockhart. Brereton got to speak, as did Boone County Board Vice Chairman David Taylor and Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen. Christiansen is seen to the left.

Labels: Amtrak, Belvidere, Chuck Jefferson, Dave Winters, Dick Durbin, Don Manzullo, Huntley, IDOT, Janet Fisher, Larry Morrisey, Marengo, Mike Franke, Milt Sees, Rockford, Ron Wait

March 22nd, McHenry County Blog was denied a copy of Amtrak’s study of the pros, cons and costs of various routes for daily round-trip service between Chicago and Dubuque via Rockford.

Here’s the reason given by the Illinois Department of Transportation, taken from the Freedom of Information Act [5ILCS 140/7 (1) (f).]:

(f) Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, memoranda and other records in which opinions are expressed, or policies or actions are formulated, except that a specific record or relevant portion of a record shall not be exempt when the record is publicly cited and identified by the head of the public body. The exemption provided in this paragraph (f) extends to all those records of officers and agencies of the General Assembly that pertain to the preparation of legislative documents.

Didn’t Democratic Party candidate Rod Blagojevich express support for railroad commuter service for Rockford at that first 2002 debate?

The report, by the way, is promised by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin to be at this IDOT Amtrak web page on Thursday.

He and Congressman Don Manzullo will hold a public hearing at 10 AM this Saturday at Fisher Memorial Chapel at Rockford College, 5050 E. State Street in Rockford.

Here’s the top part of Durbin’s press release:

ROCKFORD – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo will host an informational meeting to discuss the findings of the recently-completed “Feasibility Report on Proposed Amtrak Service” from Chicago to Dubuque via Rockford and Galena.

Amtrak officials will present the report’s findings and discuss several service options. Durbin and Manzullo will be joined by Amtrak Senior Director of Corridor Planning Mike Franke and Senior Director of Government Affairs Ray Lang, Illinois Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Milt Sees, officials from Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Boone, DeKalb, Ogle and Winnebago counties as well as Dubuque, Iowa and passenger rail supporters. Following the presentation, there will be a Q & A session with members of the audience.

Durbin, who has long been committed to bringing passenger rail service to the northwest Illinois region, hosted a public forum in July where local officials were able to make the case for restoration of service directly to Amtrak’s top leadership.

Anyone notice that McHenry County is not mentioned?

I hope that does not discourage Huntley, Union, Marengo and McHenry County officials from attending.

Labels: Amtrak, Dick Durbin, Don Manzullo, IDOT, Rockford

You’d think that when one public entity does a study for another public entity that maybe, just maybe, the study would be in the public domain.

I read about a study that Amtrak performed for the Illinois Department of Transportation.

It has to do with starting a one-train a day run to and from Dubuque, Iowa, but my interest is what it says about the possibility of the passenger train going through Huntley and Marengo.

I got details from Mark Magliari, Amtrak’s Chicago spokesman, but I wanted to read the report.

The March 22nd reply:

Your request has been denied for the following reason:

c. The requested records are exempt from inspection and copying pursuant to 5ILCS 140/7 (1) (f).

It’s our old friend from the Freedom of Information Act:

(f) Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, memoranda and other records in which opinions are expressed, or policies or actions are formulated, except that a specific record or relevant portion of a record shall not be exempt when the record is publicly cited and identified by the head of the public body. The exemption provided in this paragraph (f) extends to all those records of officers and agencies of the General Assembly that pertain to the preparation of legislative documents.

That’s the same excuse used by McHenry County College.

Labels: Amtrak, FOI, Freedom of Information Act, IDOT, Illinois Department of Transportation, McHenry County College

Genoa’s pretty happy.

They must be where the two southern routes cross in northen DeKalb County.

Two of three possible Amtrak routes would run through Geonoa to Rockford all the way to Dubuque.

According to the DeKalb Chronicle, former Crystal Lake and now Genoa City Manager Joe Missurelli said,

”Sen. (Dick) Durbin and Rep. (Don) Manzullo are both applauding the study."

But he added that “there would still be significant capital costs and operating costs to consider.”

The Rockford Register-Star reported March 6th,

Durbin and U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, R-Egan, will meet with local officials in the next few weeks and also hold a public meeting at some point to talk about routes.

I wonder if anyone from McHenry County will be at the meeting, which has not yet been set, according to Manzullo’ office.

I called up Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari for some details and a decent map.

Here’s what he told me:

“We were asked to run one trip a day. That’s not the same as multiple frequency commuter service. The capacity for one in-bound and one out-bound train per day is different from multiple frequency commuter service.

“It’s entirely possible that the capital cost for what we looked at would not be the same as what others are looking for.”

$62 million is Amtrak’s number. Magliari told me that he keeps seeing a much higher number in the Rockford media.

The map can be enlarged by clicking on it.

Here's the link to an article that appeared on July 4th on McHenry County Blog.

Labels: Amtrak, Genoa, Marengo, McHenry County Huntley