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The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is requesting feedback from 33 Chicago-area communities affected by the CN/Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Co. (EJ&E) merger to investigate local concerns about the Class I’s compliance with board-imposed conditions.

The STB plans to audit CN’s informational reports on the progress of integrating the EJ&E into its system. The board will send questionnaires to elected officials in the 33 Illinois and Indiana communities to determine whether CN’s compliance reports are “accurate and complete,” according to a prepared statement. The questionnaire will address train noise and vibration; train volumes and street blockages; vehicle delays and traffic congestion at selected grade crossings; operational accidents; and identification signs at crossings.

The STB has contracted HDR Engineering Inc. to serve as an independent, third-party consultant to audit the informational reports provided by CN and follow up on concerns raised in questionnaire responses. The board initially will receive interim progress reports from HDR, then a final report in March.

“The board imposed an unprecedented number of environmental and safety conditions to mitigate the [merger’s] harm to local communities,” said STB Chairman Daniel Elliott III. “The oversight process offers a fair and transparent way to ensure that the railroad fully complies with these conditions.”