Government
Grant Money for Railway Grade Separation at Risk
Senator Dick Durbin visited Barrington on Friday to annouce $2.8 million in federal funding could be eliminated.
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Senator Dick Durbin announced that a $2.8 million federal grant for Barrington could be at risk.
Durbin told Barrington officials Friday that a TIGER II grant to help design a grade separation at the U.S. 14 and Eastern Joliet & Elgin (EJ&E) crossing could be eliminated. The funding for the project was cut in the House of Representatives spending bill for 2011.
“Just five months ago, the City of Barrington was awarded $2.8 million funding through the Department of Transportation’s TIGER II program to begin addressing the vital safety and quality-of-life concerns that had arisen in the community since the CN merger. Today, I am here to tell you that the House Republicans wants it back,” Durbin said.
Due to the expected increase in freight traffic through town, the Village of Barrington has been fighting Canadian National’s acquisition of EJ&E railway since 2007. Opponents say this increase in freight traffic will cause gridlock at rail crossings, added air and noise pollution and delay in emergency vehicle response times.
Building an underpass at the intersection would alleviate many of the traffic concerns expected as a result of the merger. The price tag for the project could reach $70 million.
Durbin said he plans on fighting to get Barrington the money they were promised.
“This funding was a commitment to the residents of this community that their safety is the primary focus. But, if the House has its way, Congress would go back on that commitment,” Durbin said. “ This mindless cut is a clear signal that the House bill is not the product of a thoughtful effort. Yes, we need to cut spending, but we need to do so in a responsible manner.”
TIGER II awarded $22.8 million in funding to three Illinois transportation projects last year. Barrington was one of them.
Durbin told Barrington officials Friday that a TIGER II grant to help design a grade separation at the U.S. 14 and Eastern Joliet & Elgin (EJ&E) crossing could be eliminated. The funding for the project was cut in the House of Representatives spending bill for 2011.
“Just five months ago, the City of Barrington was awarded $2.8 million funding through the Department of Transportation’s TIGER II program to begin addressing the vital safety and quality-of-life concerns that had arisen in the community since the CN merger. Today, I am here to tell you that the House Republicans wants it back,” Durbin said.
Due to the expected increase in freight traffic through town, the Village of Barrington has been fighting Canadian National’s acquisition of EJ&E railway since 2007. Opponents say this increase in freight traffic will cause gridlock at rail crossings, added air and noise pollution and delay in emergency vehicle response times.
Building an underpass at the intersection would alleviate many of the traffic concerns expected as a result of the merger. The price tag for the project could reach $70 million.
Durbin said he plans on fighting to get Barrington the money they were promised.
“This funding was a commitment to the residents of this community that their safety is the primary focus. But, if the House has its way, Congress would go back on that commitment,” Durbin said. “ This mindless cut is a clear signal that the House bill is not the product of a thoughtful effort. Yes, we need to cut spending, but we need to do so in a responsible manner.”
TIGER II awarded $22.8 million in funding to three Illinois transportation projects last year. Barrington was one of them.
