ELPC Commends TIGER Grants That Benefit Freight and Passenger Rail
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Environmental Law and Policy Center commended the U.S. Department of Transportation’s awards of TIGER grants in Midwest states that will benefit both freight and passenger rail.
A $100 million TIGER grant will go toward untangling freight rail lines in the Chicago area. This grant will make freight rail more efficient nationwide while also making passenger rail through Chicago faster and more reliable. The Chicago Regional Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) project, is a public–private partnership involving 14 rail companies and other agencies. Its goal is to reduce freight rail traffic congestion in Chicago, the hub of the nation’s railways.
“This grant is a double play that can both alleviate freight congestion and speed up passenger rail,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center.
