In its decision, the board said it “expects that this new single-line service will foster the growth of rail traffic, shifting approximately 64,000 truckloads annually from North America’s roads to rail, and will support investment in infrastructure, service quality, and safety.” It is also expected to add more than 800 union jobs in the U.S., and provide opportunities for Amtrak service, the board said.
The board is establishing a seven-year oversight period for the merger and requirements to report certain data.In the Chicago area, already a busy freight rail hub, it is expected to bring more freight trains to parts of Metra’s Milwaukee District West line to Schaumburg and Elgin.
A vehicle turns into a driveway as a locomotive and freight train approach at the Canadian Pacific Bensenville Yard on Feb. 23, 2023. The coalition, Metra and elected officials also disputed Canadian Pacific’s estimate of the number of trains that could pass through the Chicago suburbs and questioned the railroad’s modeling. The railroad said in federal filings that concerns about higher-than-estimated numbers of trains passing through the area are unfounded.In the weeks leading up to the decision, Democratic U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Reps.