CN announces $150M in rail upgrades in Illinois

A freight train with a Canadian National tanker car passes through a Wisconsin Central railroad grade crossing in Rosemont, IL. February 1, 2001. Photo credit (Photo by Tim Boyle/Newsmakers)

By WBBM Newsradio Staff Report

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A Canadian railroad with a big footprint in the Chicago area says it will spend tens of millions of dollars on improvements in the state.

The Canadian National Railrway Company said it will spend $150 million to improve its rail network in Illinois.

It's part of a company-wide effort to improve reliability and to make the railroad more environmentally friendly, officials said.

CN says the money will replace 10 miles of rail; 35 road-crossing surfaces; and pay for work on bridges and signals.

CN has three main lines in Illinois: the old Illinois Central that runs south from Chicago to Champaign and Carbondale; the old Wisconsin Central that runs northwest of the city; and the former Elgin Joliet & Eastern railroad that runs through the suburbs.