New Area Rail spur in 2019?

 

UPDATE:   Thank you  Mr. Randall for your comment.  This story was submitted by one of our readers and the most recent WIFR newscast could not open —thus the most important information—the new route –was not published.  Thank you again.

ROCKFORD (WIFR) – Thousands of jobs could be coming to the Stateline, thanks to a new railroad project expected to bring business from Indiana to Wisconsin and now we’ve learned the 200 plus mile-long Great Lakes Basin Railroad is changing its course.

To the delight of Boone County Chairman Bob Walberg, the Great Lakes Basin Railroad is heading to his neck of the woods. Walberg says it’s a solution to the lack of freight the county has wanted for more than a decade.

“This rail would provide a great economic engine for the economics and freight part of it. And possibly with that extra rail line, it may even get used by passenger if that ever became a reality,” says Walberg.

The route, which previously ran to the west of Rockford, is being moved to the east side of Belvidere because of environmental challenges in Brodhead, Wisconsin. With so many state parks and water obstacles, the prices would have jumped because of added bridges.

Found Frank Patton says everything worked out for the better.

“If we went all the way through, once we got out of Winnebago County, we couldn’t get into Wisconsin. That was the killer. We ended up with a better route I think. It’s all a part of the process,” says Patton.

With the completion of the project still a few years away and the many hoops the rail group will have to jump through, Walberg is not getting too excited.

“We’ve got to regulate our enthusiasm a bit knowing that time will require something like this to take place and also there will need to be a lot of pieces to fall in line. We’ll be anxious to work with everyone on this project,” says Walberg.

Patton says the new maps will be re-drawn in the next few days before 8 to 10 public meetings will be set up along the route, including Rockford.

The founder says if everything remains on schedule, the entire project will be complete in 2019 or 2020.

ABOVE is from:  http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/Railroad-Re-routes-to-Boone-County-367446171.html

 

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Skepticism is running wild on the massive 265 mile Great Lakes Basin Railroad project, however, organizer Frank Patton is chugging along with his $8B idea to bypass Chicago's congested lines.

"I'm used to it," Patton said. "I told my wife when we first started that she might look for a new optomotrist and she looked at me and said why is that? Cause you're going to be rolling your eyes so much. But the fact is that was two years ago and now we're on the STB treadmill and it's because it's a good idea."

The route will run west of Rockford and connect to a railhub near Chicago Rockford International Airport.

Patton says it would give potential businesses a link to ground, air and rail all in one place.

Winnebago County Chairman Scott Christiansen says this could make a longterm impact on the region.

"This is just another lynchpin for the next 100 years," said Christiansen. "This could be an enormous impact in the real sustainability. This will be the place to be when you're in that manufacturing and shipping mode."

The project was approved in September by the Surface Transportation Board. Now, Patton is working with crews to test the land surrounding the project and asking for community feedback along the way.

The progress has turned Christiansen into a believer.

"It sounded a little bit like Walt Disney at one time," Christiansen said. "If you can dream it, you can do it. It's well on its way. The progress report from the last time we met is unbelievable. I'm thinking the stars are lined up and this would be a tremendous thing for our area."

Patton says the environmental work should take the next two years to complete and cost somewhere between $25-50M.

He says if all goes well and the weather cooperates, the railroad should be completed by 2019.

 

Above is from:  http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/Great-Lakes-Basin-Railroad-Making-Progress-338552962.html