CHICAGO (AP) — U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is accusing Canadian National Railway Co. of ignoring safety and congestion complaints along a major rail corridor in northern Illinois and standing in the way of plans to restore Amtrak service between Chicago and Dubuque, Iowa.

A letter Durbin wrote this week to CN Chief Executive Claude Mongeau points to the heightened tension between the company and dozens of communities ringing Chicago as freight train traffic increases. It also reveals frustration with failed negotiations to restart a cross-state rail route that’s been dormant for more than three decades. Funneling billions of dollars into the expansion of passenger rail service and city transit has been a pillar of Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s strategy for creating jobs and spurring economic development.