U.S. Congressman Dan Lipinski and CREATE Program Partners Celebrate Argo Connections Groundbreaking
U.S. Congressman Dan Lipinski (3rd District of Illinois) will join Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program partners, including Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omer Osman, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, President and CEO of the Association of American Railroads Ian Jefferies, CSX General Manager – Midwest William Blanchetti and others to break ground on the Argo Connections (B9) project this Friday. CREATE Program partners include the U.S. Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Transportation, Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, Chicago Department of Transportation and the Association of American Railroads.
The Argo Connections project was funded for construction through the federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program. This project will increase freight speeds and improve fluidity on the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad (IHB) and allow trains to clear Canal Interlocking more quickly, reducing the potential for freight conflict with Amtrak and Metra trains and improve travel time, speed and reliability.
| Date: | Friday, April 26, 2019 |
| Time: | 10 – 10:30 a.m. |
| Location: | Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Yard |
| 6300 S. Archer Ave, Summit, IL 60501 | |
| Parking available on site. Street parking is also available on Archer Avenue and 63rd Street. |
| Information: | Visuals will include railroad equipment and celebratory gravel turns. |
Speakers
U.S. Congressman Dan Lipinski (3rd District of Illinois)
Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omer Osman
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle
Association of American Railroads President & CEO Ian Jefferies
CSX General Manager – Midwest William Blanchetti
Media Contact: Jennie Vana, Metro Strategies, 847-707-9210,
The CREATE Program is a first-of-its-kind private-public partnership to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of freight, commuter and intercity rail, while improving the entire transportation network throughout the region. The $4.6 billion program comprises 70 rail and highway improvements, 30 which are complete. The Program partners include the U.S. Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Transportation, Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, Chicago Department of Transportation and the Association of American Railroads, as well as the six major North American freight railroads, two switching railroads and two passenger railroads. Visit createprogram.org to learn more
