With the Belt arguably at the center of the most important interchange point in the world, local media featured the railroad during a recent report.

General Counsel, Secretary and Director Human Resources Tim Coffey was featured in a recent segment about the ongoing $4 billion CREATE project, which aims to separate train tracks and roads, as well as freight and commuter lines, at many different points in Chicago. 

The project is good news for the Belt and rest of the rail industry, as it will facilitate significantly higher freight volumes throughout the next decade. 

During the report, which aired on WGN-TV, reporter Mike Lowe visited the Belt’s dispatchers, showing Dispatcher Josh O’Brien at work, and credited the BRC with promoting communication and preventing congestion. Coffey explained that passenger trains are given priority over freight during the rush hours and shared a well-known Chicago railroading saying.

“Freight don’t vote,” he said. “Commuters are given priority and that costs us roughly four hours a day — time off the clock that we can’t use to move trains.”

Coffey goes on to explain to Lowe that no railroad goes from coast to coast, necessitating the Belt’s service. 

The report also features CREATE Chief Engineer Bill Thompson. He described how CREATE, which funds 70 projects, has eliminated choke points and will continue to do so.

See the report here: https://tinyurl.com/Beltcreate