U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., has joined legislators aiming to block a controversial Canadian railroad from buying EJ&E Railroad.

Visclosky and four others sent letters Wednesday to the Federal Railroad Administration and the Government Accountability Office asking officials to review domestic rail safety and the safety record of the Canadian National Railway Co., according to a news release from Visclosky's office.

Visclosky stands in "staunch opposition" to CN's purchase of EJ&E, which runs trains through Northwest Indiana, he said in the release.

"CN's efforts to acquire EJ&E pose a clear and serious threat to public safety in Northwest Indiana, and I am committed to leading the opposition of the transaction," he said.

A Canadian parliamentary committee report found CN violated safety standards. Last week, thousands of wheel sets built by CN were recalled.

An approval of CN's bid would lead to three times more traffic on the EJ&E line in Northwest Indiana, Visclosky said. The purchase would complicate projects involving the South Shore Line and the Gary-Chicago International Airport, Visclosky said.