Chicago Bypass Route Review Suspended

An office of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board has suspended its environmental review of a proposed new Chicago bypass rail route.

The Office of Environmental Analysis said that it ceased its review of the proposed rail line at the request of Great Lakes Basin Transportation.

GLBT had proposed building a 278-mile rail line between northwest Indiana and southern Wisconsin.

A letter sent to the STB  from GLBT said that it is working on a “more complete overview of the project’s business and operating impacts.”

The STB’s environmental assessment office said it will issue a final scope of study for the preparation of the draft environmental impact statement, taking into consideration all comments received during the public comment period.

Once alternative routes for the rail line are described, the STB will solicit additional public comment.

Tags: Chicago bypass rail proposal, Great Lakes Basin Transportation Inc, STB office of environmental review, Surface Transportation Board