The Surface Transportation Board on Aug. 30 rejected an application filed by Great Lakes Basin Transportation, Inc. (GLBT) for authority to construct and operate a rail line in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. STB cited that it found GLBT’s application “incomplete” and has discontinued environmental review.
Opposition groups from Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana in a filing have asked the Surface Transportation Board to reject an application from Great Lakes Basin Transportation to build a rail freight line around Chicago because there is no proof of funding and railroads committed to use the line.
On May 1, 2017, Great Lakes Basin Transportation, Inc. (GLBT) filed an application seeking authority from the Surface Transportation Board to construct and operate an approximately 261-mile rail line extending around the Chicago, Ill. area at a distance of 38 to 89 miles from downtown and passing through counties in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. The application, among other items, requested a protective order governing exchange and use of information GLBT deemed confidential.
An investment group is seeking federal permission to construct a privately-owned, all-new railroad that would bypass the congestion of Chicago.
