Bridgeport residents dispute report dismissing impacts of proposed Amtrak yard

Bridgeport Bridgeport residents dispute report dismissing impacts of proposed Amtrak yard A federal report says impacts of a new Amtrak maintenance yard would be minimal for Bridgeport residents, but officials remain skeptical By Paris Schutz • Published 4 hours ago • Updated 4 hours ago A new study suggests a proposed Amtrak maintenance yard in Bridgeport would not have an adverse impact on the thousands of residents there, but questions remain in the minds of residents and officials. The study was released by the Federal Railroad Administration on Friday. The report concluded that the impact of the project on factors such as air pollution, noise, and vibration, among other items, would be “insignificant," but many, including 11th Ward Ald. Nicole Lee, say they aren't buying the results. Stream NBC 5 for free, 24/7, wherever you are. WATCH HERE “We don’t trust what they’re doing. This was announced on October 26, and 11 days later they were done with it and found no significant impact? So we question what they put in that report," Lee said. Inititally federal officials sought to greenlight the project without a more detailed study being conducted, but they reversed course after massive pushback from the community and from lawmakers, including Lee, Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, and many others. Ann Caruso and Maria Lagiglio, both of whom live in Bridgeport, echo concerns raised by those officials after the new report's release. “I’m tired of being treated like a don’t have a brain up here, because I do and they’re insulting my intelligence,” Caruso said. The proposed relocation of the Amtrak maintenance yard from the South Loop to Bridgeport is supported by future White Sox owner Justin Ishbia. He is spearheading the push to potentially move the railyard and maintenance facility from it’s current location on 14th and Canal, with the aim of making room for a new stadium for the White Sox near the Chicago River. Local Evanston 50 minutes ago Suburban 17-year-old killed in tragic Deerfield crash: Coroner NBC 5 Investigates 2 hours ago Chinese espionage scandal raises questions for Illinois universities and Nvidia Ishbia and Amtrak issued a joint statement on Friday, commending the review that was asked for by residents after they felt an initial review in September left out key details. “We believe this deeper review process will provide the public with additional information about the need for the new facility and associated viaduct repair work, as well as the environmental impact of the project,” the statement reads. But Lee says the review leaves her with more questions than answers. “A major industrial complex like this does not need to be moved from an industrial site where there are 30 residents within 500 feet to a densely populated residential area with 6,700 people, 1,100 kids and nearly 1,400 seniors," she said. The new study also says 17 viaducts would need to be repaired – adding to the construction, noise, and potential dust impacts on the neighborhood. The disruptions in air quality that could be caused by those projects were not included in the study, according to neighbors. “Something they left out of the study is PM 2.5 which is small particulate matter, which is one of the most dangerous contaminants to human beings,” LaGiglio said. Residents will still have their chance to sound off at a public hearing next month, a meeting where Amtrak and FRA officials are expected to be present. This article tagged under: Bridgeport