Feds Hold Freight Train Operator Liable for Blocked Crossings, Train Parking: Ruling

A freight operator has been ordered not to roll trains through Beverly, Mt. Greenwood and Evergreen Park unless a certain trail is clear or face legal action.

The federal ruling came about after Ald. Matt O’Shea and Evergreen Park Mayor James Sexton filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Surface Transportation Board in February. against CSX Transportation Inc. to not allow trains to enter the Elsdon Line unless the line is clear.

CSX secured the rights in 2013 to operate on the Elsdon line, which runs through Blue Island and Mt. Greenwood, and loops west through Evergreen Park over 95th Street, and Kedzie and 94th Street.

After CSX took over the line, residents and businesses complained of CSX trains blocking road and rail crossings along this line during peak rush hours and causing other disruptions to residents’ quality of life. Of particular concern were rail grade crossings on routes leading to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and Evergreen Park’s Little Company of Mary Hospital.

The petition filed by City of Chicago and Village of Evergreen Park with the STB, the federal agency that regulates rail traffic and oversees railroad mergers, sought a number of potential remedies on behalf of residents, including sanctions, fines, and continued monitoring and auditing.

Marshalling resources with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Congressman Dan Lipinski, and State Sen. Bill Cunningham and Rep. Kelly Burker, the 19th Ward also collected public comments from city and suburban residents on quality of life issues and disruptions said to be caused by the railroad company.

The STB ruling. issued Wednesday takes effect immediately. CSX is now to submit monthly reports for one year detailing the company’s efforts to address malfunctioning gates and grade crossing blockages in excess of ten minutes.

According to O’Shea, CSX defended itself by citing mechanical difficulties and problems with other rail companies that utilize their line as primary reasons for the increased blockages. The STB has found these explanations invalid, writing:

"The Board as allowed CSXT more than enough time to address the many problems that have arisen on the Line … We must hold CSXT accountable to the representations it made in its application."

“Moving forward, I am hopeful that this strong action from federal regulators will finally get the attention of CSX and force them to correct years of poor behavior,” O’Shea said in an email blast.

The alderman also advises any 19th Ward or Evergreen Park resident who observes a train blocking a crossing for ten minutes or more to contact his office at mattoshea@the19thward.com.

To read the full text of the STB's decision, please click here.