Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Applauds Major BNSF Rail Investment In Knox, Rock Island Counties

WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 30, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released the following statement applauding BNSF’s recent decision to invest $145 million in improving and expanding Illinois rail capacity. This investment includes extending three departure tracks at the Galesburg Yard to a length of 10,000 feet each and construction of new siding 7,600 feet long between Barstow and Hillsdale.

“Rail transportation plays an absolutely critical role in the movement of the high quality goods and products of our region to the rest of the world. I applaud BNSF for making this important investment to improve and expand existing rail infrastructure in our region and across Illinois. This investment will not only create jobs in the short-term, but it also represents a down payment on the long-term economic health of our region and state.”

Earlier this month, Bustos held a “Cheri on Shift” at BNSF Railway in Galesburg with Republican State Representative Don Moffitt.

Congresswoman Bustos has been a long-time champion of investing in infrastructure to improve our economy and create jobs and recently met with the new DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx to advocate for the transportation priorities of Illinois’ 17th Congressional District. These priorities include replacing the functionally obsolete I-74 bridge in the Quad Cities, widening Highway 20 in northern Illinois and Highway 30 in Whiteside County, building the Eastern Bypass in Peoria, and increasing passenger rail service throughout the district.