Canadian rail company, Canadian National, last week announced very welcome news for those who have supported the long planned for expansion of Gary Chicago International Airport in Indiana.

Advising that a preliminary memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the rail line relocation had been reached between, Canadian National said that four groups have signed the MOU, Gary Chicago International Airport(GCIA), the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E), CSX Corporation, and Norfolk Southern Corporation.

The Director of Gary Chicago International Airport Director, Chris Curry welcomed the four-way understanding, saying that “These professionals understood the needs of the airport to fully reach its potential, while at the same time worked to enhance the movement of freight and commerce to ensure the economic viability of NW Indiana well into the future.”

Canadian National, whilst not a signatory to the MOU, has a vested interest in the re-location of the rail lines and Gary Chicago expansion plan, in that the company is set to purchase the EJ&E company.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian National(CN), E. Hunter Harrison commented on the developments, saying that “CN welcomes this agreement and salutes key stakeholders for working cooperatively to resolve engineering issues related to GCIA’s expansion. The end result will also ensure a fluid, effective rail network in Northwest Indiana.”

Hunter Harrision also said that Canadian National was particularly pleased with the agreement, in that the the United States, Surface Transportation Board(STB) will not need to invest additional time and resources in “examining concerns that had been raised by GCIA and others about the potential impact of our proposed purchase of the EJ&E on the GCIA’s operations and expansion plans.”  Hunter Harrision finished by expressing the hope that now that the rail re-location and airport expansion issues have begun to be addressed, that the STB’s review of Canadian National’s purchase of EJ&E, will now be expedited.

Canadian National plans to acquire the principle lines owned by EJ&E for  US$300 million dollars as well as spending an additional US$100 million dollars to upgrade lines and construct new connections.

Source: Marketwire, Gary Chicago International Airport and Canadian National Railway Company

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