-
-
Boone County Board expected to pass a resolution against railroad project
-
By Chris Green
Staff writer - Posted Jun. 16, 2016 at 8:52 PM
-
BELVIDERE — The Boone County Board is expected to vote and pass a resolution opposed to the construction of the proposed $8 billion Great Lakes Basin Railroad project at a June 29 special board meeting.
The special meeting was necessitated after the board failed to vote Wednesday on an existing resolution, said board member Cathy Ward.
She described the new resolution as an "abbreviated" resolution that will be forwarded to the federal Surface Transportation Board, which has the authority to approve or reject the project, or approve it with conditions.
The 275-mile rail line would cut directly through Boone County and several other communities in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana in order to provide quicker freight rail service that bypasses Chicago.
Many Boone County residents are opposed to the project fearing damage to farmland and lower property values.
The special meeting will start at 6 p.m. at 1212 Logan Ave.
Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen
Above is from: http://www.rrstar.com/news/20160616/boone-county-board-expected-to-pass-resolution-against-railroad-project
