CN completes first major EJ&E connection

Canadian National has completed construction of the first major rail connection resulting from its acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway. CN said the C$5 million connection at Griffith, Ind., creates a direct route for CN freight trains moving between Kirk Yard in Gary, Ind., and points farther east on the CN network.

CN is investing more than C$100 million in infrastructure improvements during the integration. Also planned are new rail connections at Mundelein, Ill., Bartlett, Ill., Joliet, Ill., and Matteson, Ill. Engineering or construction work is now under way on the remaining connections.

Three trains a day operate over the new connection, which links CN’s South Bend Subdivision with the Matteson Subdivision leading to Kirk Yard.

CN also announced Tuesday that it has reached a voluntary mitigation agreement with New Lenox, Ill., 36 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, in connection with its EJ&E acquisition.

CN, will provide New Lenox funding for a quiet zone, noise and safety mitigation, communications, and emergency response training.

This is the 26th such agreement signed by CN with communities on the EJ&E line since it completed its purchase of the EJ&E on Jan. 31, 2009.