Many residents in Northern Illinois are concerned over the proposed Great Lakes Basin Rail Road that will be cutting through their counties.

You will have one more chance to voice your concerns in a public meeting tonight in Rochelle.

The meeting, according to WIFR , will be held at the Rochelle Township High School -1401 Flagg Road in Rochelle from 5:30pm to 8:00pm.

If you're wondering what all this commotion is over the railroad, many community members in Boone, Ogle, Winnebago are concerned about the effects this "280 long railroad will have on the environment from eroding farmlands and forested areas, to effecting the water table and the noise pollution in general from trains running up an down the lines everyday.

"The Surface Transportation Board, the federal agency looking over the project, is listening to all concerns as a part of its environmental impact survey. They'll be looking at noise,vibration, air quality, traffic delays, impacts on farming operations, school bus routes, land use, water quality and wetlands."

I can see both sides of this debate to be for the railroad as it will provide more jobs and it is progress.

However, in my heart growing up in the country where this rail road will be going through, I might add, I'm not for it. I hate to see the rural, quiet be disrupted with constant rail line activity. I hate to see farmland torn up and taken away. I don't want to see natural habitats being disrupted as well. I'm worried about what it will do to water and air.

So if you love the country, farmland and your smaller communities this is your chance to speak up and let your voice be heard about this rail road.

Again the final meeting will be taking place tonight at the Rochelle Township high School from 5:30pm to 8:00pm. If you are unable to attend this meeting you can submit your concerns and questions to greatlakesbasinraileis.com.

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