Duckworth, Durbin Urge Amtrak to Put Community Input over Private Interests

Duckworth, Durbin Urge Amtrak to Put Community Input over Private Interests

[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding Amtrak's plans to relocate its current 14th Street maintenance facility to what is presently Union Pacific's Canal Street Yard, citing concerns about the lack of constructive community engagement on the project and the impact the facility could have on the surrounding area. In August, Duckworth and Durbin requested additional information from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Amtrak regarding the project after fielding concerns from residents and local elected officials in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood.

"Any plan to relocate the Amtrak maintenance facility should not proceed without input from local leaders and the surrounding community whose lives will be impacted by the project. The lack of community involvement and speed with which this project has moved forward raises questions about the role of private interests. While this project would bring jobs to Illinois and help Amtrak improve its maintenance operations to alleviate ongoing issues and service disruptions that impact passenger rail, productive conversations with local elected officials and the community to address their concerns must come first."

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