April 24, 2008 Visclosky Announces Deal Between CSX and Norfolk Southern Agreement Over Rail Lines Critical Step Toward Expanding Gary/Chicago International Airport Washington, D.C. – Congressman Pete Visclosky today announced that CSX and Norfolk Southern (NS) reached an agreement to share a rail line in the vicinity of Gary/Chicago International Airport (GCA), a critical step toward expanding the airport to revitalize Northwest Indiana’s economy. The accord was reached after Visclosky’s office met with CSX on March 13, and NS on March 27, to push the railroads toward reaching a deal. Visclosky’s office has been in constant contact with both railroads since.
“This deal between CSX and Norfolk Southern represents a significant step toward expanding Gary/Chicago International Airport so that we can create new jobs and revitalize our local economy,†said Visclosky. “In recent conversations with the railroads it became evident that they both recognize the economic development potential of the airport and want to be there as we improve our transportation infrastructure to build a new economy for Northwest Indiana. Today’s agreement demonstrates tremendous foresight on the part of the two railroads when it comes to Gary/Chicago International Airport and will be remembered by the new workers the airport will one day employ.â€
The issue at stake for GCA was establishing a sufficient perimeter to allow for the eventual extension of the existing crosswind runway, a necessary improvement for increasing flight capacity and turning the airport into a regional economic engine. At present, the dormant CSX Fort Wayne Line lies within the perimeter required for runway extension, while NS’s Gary Branch, which runs parallel further to the North, is outside of the perimeter. In the agreement announced today, CSX will take ownership of NS’s Gary Branch while guaranteeing NS maintains its capacity on the line. This compromise makes it possible to remove CSX’s Fort Wayne Line and extend GCA’s crosswind runway.
“In Northwest Indiana we need to create new jobs and we need new ventures like the GCA expansion to generate those jobs,†said Visclosky. “I commend CSX and NS for acknowledging the local economic benefits of the Gary/Chicago Airport expansion and for coming to the bargaining table so that we can make it a reality. I also thank Chris Curry and the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority for their hard work to improve the airport and create jobs for the people of Northwest Indiana.â€
A third rail line, owned and operated by the Elgin, Joliet, & Eastern Railway (EJ&E), runs just west of the main runway and blocks its planned extension. GCA presented EJ&E with plans to relocate its tracks in order to allow for extension of the main runway and negotiations between the airport and the railway are ongoing.
“I hope EJ&E will follow CSX and NS’s lead and help make the airport expansion, and the jobs and economic activity that will come with it, a reality,†said Visclosky.
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