STB gives Great Lakes more time to propose alternative route

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has granted Great Lakes Basin Transportation's (GLBT) request for a deadline extension to file an alternative route for its proposed freight line around Chicago.

In an Aug. 31 letter, the STB's Office of Environmental Analysis granted GLBT an extension until Sept. 20 to respond to the office's request for an alternative route.

In July, the office told the company that it had to submit by Aug. 29 the alternative alignments — or an explanation if the company can't provide them — before the office can issue a "final scope of study" for an environmental impact statement.

Great Lakes Basin Transportation has proposed a rail line that would run from southern Wisconsin, through Illinois to northwestern Indiana. The company believes that the private line would help alleviate rail traffic congestion around the Chicago area.