The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks,
The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and
spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."
[Macro error: Can't include because the file is larger than 32767 characters.]
WEST CITY - The July 9 train derailment that left a stretch of Interstate 57 covered with 800 tons of coal and trapped countless motorists at a standstill is still under investigation.
Federal Railroad Administration spokesperson Patti Smith said that investigations into the derailment would most likely be ongoing for the next 60 days.
While the investigation may take awhile, efforts to clear the highway and re-open commuting only took a matter of hours.
"It could have been days and weeks of recovery," said Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Tim Martin. "But through all of your help and your focus and everything else, it was hours."
IDOT held an appreciation reception on Tuesday at the West City Community Center in honor of all the agencies that responded to the train derailment. A lunch buffet was held, complements to the Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop of West City, and an awards ceremony presenting certificates of appreciation to all involved.
Speakers at the banquet included Martin, Tom Zerrussen of IDOT and Illinois State Police Dist. 13 Capt. Charles Mays. Each speaker took the time to thank crew members for their hard work and cooperation with each agency.
A letter from Gov. Rod Blagojevich was presented at the banquet. Blagojevich expressed his appreciation and thanks to all those who assisted in the response, clean up and recovery efforts of the train derailment incident.
Bill Blankenship of Canadian National Railroad, the company that owns the train cars that derailed, also expressed his gratitude for the ability of the state police, IDOT and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to come together with the railroad company to get the job done.
"When something like this happens, the various agencies all come to these things with their own agendas," said Blankenship, "In this instance, as it turned out, most of the agendas were the same."
Blankenship applauded the joint effort made by the many different agencies.
"People put aside egos, people put aside agendas and we got the job done."
[Macro error: Can't include because the file is larger than 32767 characters.]
DE Summer 04 
