Glenview Hosts Public Rail Forum On Planned Hiawatha Expansion

GLENVIEW, IL — Village officials are convening a public forum aimed at mobilizing opposition to a proposed freight train holding track in west Glenview, according to a news release. At the "Say No to Parking Freight Trains in our Neighborhoods" forum, staff plan to summarize concerns about the planned increase in the Amtrak Hiawatha service between Chicago and Milwaukee.

Glenview has a number of concerns about the $195 rail infrastructure project, including the addition of the 2-mile holding track along Union Pacific tracks in west Glenview. The track would allow Canadian Pacific freight trains to stay parked until they can be assured clear passage to the company's Bensenville freight yard.

The village is also concerned about the addition of a new switch and universal crossover to be installed near Dewes Street for Metra's Milwaukee District North line tracks and the traffic caused by three additional Amtrak Hiawatha service runs through town ever day.

Federal and state transportation officials informed the village in early 2015 and conducted an environmental assessment, according to the release.

Village staff and many residents don't think they got enough information regarding the potential impacts of the project during a single public meeting about the assessment in November 2016.

"There are concerns that the requirements for public input pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act have not been met due to the presentation of a flawed, incomplete Environmental Assessment at that meeting," according to the village.

The public forum has been scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, March 12 at the Glenbrook South High School auditorium, 4000 W. Lake Ave. According to the village, many elected officials are expected to attend.

Here the goals of the forum:

• Raise awareness about the proposal and how it might impact Glenview and other towns.
• Emphasize the need for another public meeting and input sessions after a revised environmental assessment is released in late March or early April.
• Explain why residents take issue with the lack of freight information within the environmental assessment.
• Question the need for a 43-percent increase in Amtrak service while ridership is currently under 40 percent.
• Look into whether Amtrak can provide more capacity through "other operational solutions," like newer trains or more cars on existing trains.
• Listen to a group of citizens speaking on behalf of impacted neighborhoods or large groups of residents
• Pick up any written comments to be will be provided to legislators, the U.S., Illinois and Wisconsin departments of transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration.

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