By Ed Felker

WASHINGTON — Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called on federal regulators Wednesday to expand their review of the proposed purchase of the suburban Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway, to determine the cost-to-benefit ratio to local communities.

Durbin made his views on the project known in a letter send Tuesday to the federal Surface Transportation Board, the last day of a public comment period on the STB's draft environmental impact statement. The agency is to issue a final statement in the coming weeks before the board decides on the planned purchase by the Canadian National Railway.

Durbin, who has not taken a position for or against the purchase, said the draft made available to the public two months ago did not adequately consider the costs, and possible benefits, to communities that will see changes in local train traffic. He said the draft also does not fully weigh possible negative impacts on Amtrak service to Champaign and Carbondale and the METRA Star Line New Start commuter rail project.