In light of the recent Glenview railroad crossing collapse and the extreme hot weather, Des Plaines Mayor Martin J. Moylan has requested the City’s Public Works and
Engineering Department to call for an inspection of the Route 14 (Northwest Highway) S curve railroad trestle.

“In an effort to secure the health and safety of Des Plaines residents and commuters, I want an inspection as soon as possible.  We don’t want to be responding to a disaster… we want to make sure Des Plaines is proactive,” Mayor Moylan said.

According to Director of Public Works and Engineering Timothy Oakley, the tracks, utilized and co-owned by the Union Pacific Railroad and the Canadian National Railroad,
are maintained by the Union Pacific and that is the entity which received the inspection request.  According to Oakley, the Union Pacific files periodic inspection reports with the Federal Railroad Association (FRA).  Results of these inspections would be available through the City through the Freedom of Information request procedure. The City cannot go on the railroad property to perform an inspection on its own without approval.

According to both the Mayor and Oakley, the City will remain persistent in its request.