Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $20 Million in Federal Funding For Create's Dolton Junction Interlocking Rail Project
CHICAGO – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a total of $19,206,398 to the CREATE (Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency) Program’s Dolton Junction Interlocking project in Dolton, Illinois. This rail project will help ease freight congestion outside of Chicago. This funding was awarded through DOT’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program.
“This important investment will not only improve rail speed and service reliability, it will help keep passengers, drivers, and pedestrians safe. It also creates good paying jobs for the people of Dolton and the Southside of Chicago,” said Durbin. “Senator Duckworth and I are proud to support this improvement project, and will continue advocating for strong investments in Illinois’ transportation infrastructure.”
“Over a hundred freight trains and several passenger trains use the Dolton Interlocking System each day, creating significant congestion and causing delays and aggravation for Illinoisans and rail users,” said Duckworth. “This critical funding will modernize the interlocking and relieve this bottleneck to improve reliability and boost our economic development. I am committed to working with Senator Durbin and other members of the Illinois congressional delegation to promote infrastructure improvements across Chicagoland and the state of Illinois and bring back as much investment as possible.”
Last year, Durbin, Duckworth, and U.S Representatives Bobby Rush (D-IL-01), Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03) and Danny Davis (D-IL-07) announced $132 million in federal funding to the CREATE Program for the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project (CIP). This investment will help separate several freight and passenger rail lines in the Englewood, Auburn Gresham and West Chatham neighborhoods that currently intersect and create significant delays, train idling and congestion.
The CREATE (Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency) Program is a partnership that includes the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Metra, Amtrak and the nation’s freight railroads that is designed to eliminate freight rail and motor vehicle bottlenecks, boost the economy of northeastern Illinois and improve the overall safety and environment of the region.
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