ITASCA, Ill. — The Coalition to Stop CPKC has claimed the environmental impact statement report for the U.S. Surface Transportation Board ignores pertinent data.

The coalition opposes the proposed merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern railroad companies. If Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern were to merge, the new railroad company formed from the two would represent the largest freight company running from Canada to Mexico through the United States.

The merger would impact 54 crossings on 20 miles of Metra’s Milwaukee District Line that runs from Bensenville to Elgin.

The Coalition to Stop CPKC held a press conference Monday to discuss their claim. Officials at the press conference said the merger would represent eight new 10,000-foot freight trains travelling across the Milwaukee District Line, more than tripling the current amount.

“The federal government cannot continue to turn a blind eye to real, deadly consequences of quadrupling freight traffic on the commuter lines,” said Itasca Mayor Jeff Pruyn.

Monday’s event included several area mayors along with members of the Illinois General Assembly and other elected officials.

The coalition is made up of Bartlett, Bensenville, Elgin, Itasca, Hanover Park, Roselle, Wood Dale, Schaumburg, and DuPage County.

You can watch the entire press conference in the video above.