Illinois Central rail to connect Exxon Chem in Louisiana

13 September 2000 23:45  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (CNI)--Illinois Central Railway, a subsidiary of Canadian National Railway, said Wednesday it will build 16 700 feet of track to connect its existing line with the ExxonMobil Chemical polyolefins plant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The new line will cost about $4m (Euro 4.6m). Officials anticipate service should begin in 2002, when the railroad will move about 30 cars a day to and from the plant.

Said Terry McNanaman, vice president of Canadian's Gulf division: "The route we selected, while the longest and thus most costly alternative studied, maximises the distance between residential properties and the new line, minimises environmental impacts and promotes safe rail, highway, and plant operations."

A date for the start of construction has not been set.

Illinois Central must now petition the US Surface Transportation Board (SFT) for a construction permit before it starts work on the line. It also must obtain necessary permits from state and local authorities.

By: Mike Sheridan
+1 713 525 2653

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