February 2009 – Newsletter

In This Issue

  • CREATE Completes Corwith Interlocking Project
  • CREATE Project Named Among Best of 2008 Construction Projects
  • Illinois Communities and Businesses Support CREATE
  • Doing Business with CREATE

CREATE Completes Corwith Interlocking Project

The upgrade and reconfiguration of the Corwith Interlocking and new signal bridge is now functionally complete and provides significant benefits to trains moving in and out of BNSF’s Corwith Yard, one of the busiest intermodal yards in the nation. As a result of this project, train speeds through the interlocking are increased, and the speed of interchanges between BNSF and its partner railroads is improved. For more information, visit Corwith Interlocking.

Midwest Construction Names CREATE Project Among Best of 2008

The CREATE rail-highway grade separation project at Grand Avenue in Franklin Park, Illinois was named one of the best projects of the year by Midwest Construction. See Engineering News-Record – Best of 2008.

Before the project, two rail lines crossed Grand Avenue in Franklin Park, delaying more than 5,000 cars per day, and resulting in one of the ten crossings with most motorist delay in northeast Illinois. The grade crossing separation project combined the two rail lines into one rail bridge over Grand Avenue so they are now fully separated from auto traffic. Project benefits include a reduction in auto delay of 223.8 hours per day and a reduction in lost wages per year of $570,000. See photos at Grand Avenue Grade Crossing Dedication.

Illinois Communities and Businesses Support CREATE

Communities throughout Illinois are expressing their support for CREATE, including Springfield, Carbondale, Centralia, Economic Development Council of the Bloomington-Normal Area, and Effingham.  In particular, CREATE benefits to Amtrak’s downstate service are generating interest in the rail infrastructure program.  

Additionally, businesses that recognize the importance of an efficient freight rail system to their bottom line are telling their stories to support the CREATE Program. 

Doing Business with CREATE

A new bid advertisement was posted to the CREATE website for rehabilitation of 3 bridges.  For the full bid advertisement visit: WA3 Bid Advertisement.

To receive notification when a new bid solicitation is posted, send an email to [email protected] with “Procurement Notification” in the subject line.   For more information, go to Doing Business with CREATE.

Elected Officials Support CREATE

Elected officials at the local, regional and national level are expressing their support for CREATE. Statements of support recognize the important economic and job creation benefits of this project of national and regional significance. Visit Elected Officials Support.

CREATE in an Economic Development Package

Did You Know?

A freight train can move one ton of freight 436 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel. For more information see: Freight Rail Works.

CREATE Partners

  • Amtrak
  • BNSF
  • Belt Railway Company of Chicago
  • Canadian Pacific
  • CN
  • Chicago Department of Transportation
  • CSX
  • Illinois Department of Transportation
  • Indiana Harbor Belt
  • Metra
  • Norfolk Southern
  • Union Pacific
  • USDOT