The Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program is extending an invitation to members of the media to cover “Eliminating the Largest Rail Chokepoint in North America: How CREATE’s Biggest Project will Transform our Supply Chain and Passenger Rail Service”, an informational panel event including CREATE partners and experts discussing CREATE’s unique Public-Private Partnership model and how it supports CREATE’s biggest project to date, the Belt Junction and 80th Street Junction Replacements (CREATE Project EW2). This event will take place on October 18th, 2023, at the Union League Club.

The CREATE Program is proud to partner with the Union League Club’s Transportation Subcommittee, a division of the Public Affairs Committee, in presenting an informational panel on one of the Program’s most significant projects, CREATE Project EW2. This project will remove North America's largest chokepoint in the freight rail network and will have significant global, national, statewide, regional, and local impacts regarding the supply chain and passenger rail service.

Recently, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) submitted a Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Opportunity (MPDG) Program application for the first segment of the EW2 project, EW2a. During this panel, participants will learn how the CREATE Program develops, designs and funds projects, with EW2a serving as a case study. Participants will receive insights from CREATE partners and technical experts on the process of applying for the MPDG Grant and how the partners’ spirit of collaboration made this effort possible.

Date: Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Location:

Union League Club

65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604

Access:

Public transit- Several transit routes run adjacent to the club including the CTA Red, Blue, Brown, Orange, Pink, Purple Lines and 1, 2, 6, 7, 22, 24, 28, 29, 36, 37, 62, 126, 134, 135, 136, 146, 148.

Car- Parking is located at 318 S. Federal Street, Chicago, IL 60604. The lot is right next to the Union League Club building. There is a giant green sign that indicates the location.

Bicycle- Bike racks are available at various locations throughout the area.

Speakers:

  • Darlene Hightower, MPC – Panel Moderator
  • Jason Osborn, Illinois Department of Transportation – Panelist
  • Jeff Sriver, Chicago Department of Transportation – Panelist
  • Herbert Smith, Norfolk Southern – Panelist
  • Jesse Elam – Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways
  • Leo Russell, Chicago Transportation Coordination Office – Panelist
  • Jack Eskin, HNTB – Panelist