AAR applauds roughly $20m grant for CREATE’s Dolton, Illinois Junction interlocking rail project

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) has awarded $19.2 million in federal funding for the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program’s Dolton Junction Interlocking project, awarded through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Programme.

The Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program is an innovative public-private partnership involving BNSF, Canadian Pacific, Canadian National, CSX, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific Railroad, Amtrak, Metra, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the state of Illinois, the city of Chicago and Cook County.

Launched in 2003, the $4.6 billion plan includes 70 projects (29 of which are already complete) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Chicago’s freight, commuter and intercity passenger rail.

Ian Jefferies, President and CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), issued the following statement in response to the announcement: “The AAR commends all stakeholders involved in this grant process for moving the ball forward on yet-another aspect of the CREATE program, an exemplary public-private partnership increasing fluidity throughout the Chicago region for both freight customers and rail passengers,” said Ian. 

“This includes the USDOT, the Illinois Congressional delegation, IDOT, other local partners and Amtrak, as well as privately owned freight railroads for continuing to deliver the private capital needed to move CREATE projects like this forward. By updating the interlocking system at this busy rail corridor, railroads will be able to move more efficiently through the area, which will bolster safety and lessen driver and pedestrian disruptions.”

For more information visit www.aar.org and www.createprogram.org

17th June 2019