Chicago rail will benefit from infrastructure grants of over $130 million

People waiting for a train at Chicago's train station

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao, joined by Governor Bruce Rauner and members of the Illinois congressional delegation, attended an announcement detailing the grants of $132,034,680, that will be received by the Illinois Department of Transportation. 

The award will fund the 75th Street Corridor Improvements and Argo Connections components of the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (C.R.E.A.T.E) project.

This funding is provided through the $1.5 billion Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) discretionary grant programme in partnership with the State of Illinois, the City of Chicago, Chicago’s METRA Commuter Rail, Amtrak and the nation’s freight railroads.

“The Illinois Department of Transportation received one of the largest INFRA grants this year, totalling $132 million through an exemplary public-private partnership created to improve freight connectivity, decrease congestion and enhance safety along this nationally significant rail network,” said Elaine.

The C.R.E.A.T.E. programme is an innovative public-private partnership involving the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, U.S. Department of Transportation and the freight, passenger and commuter railroads serving the Chicago region.

“The rail improvement projects we have initiated are central to the economic vitality of Illinois,” said Bruce. “We are especially grateful to USDOT, Secretary Chao and our federal partners for the support that green-lighted the plan.”

The project will enhance the region’s economic vitality by improving several high-priority bottlenecks impacting the rail network in Chicago, which moves more than two million railcars a year.