CREATE in the news

The Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE) will soon benefit from $233 million in federal stimulus funds.  Paul Merrion of Crain's Chicago Business looks at how the freight project is moving forward in light of recent events, including the stimulus funding, the State of Illinois budget problems, and the Canadian National railway's purchase last year of the Elgin, Joliet, and Eastern railway.

In January, CREATE had announced a $133 million grant funded by ARRA to build a rail-rail flyover near 63rd and State in Chicago, which will eliminate conflict between 78 Metra Rock Island trains and approximately 60 freight and Amtrak trains that intersect there daily. An additional $100 million was announced in February via the U.S. Department of Transportation TIGER program to support six CREATE projects across 13 Illinois communities, ranging from rail line and viaduct improvements to a highway-rail grade separation.