The five projects funded by the TIGER grant are the following:

•Construction of the Union Pacific Third Mainline-Proviso Yard.

•Installation of a traffic control system at La Grange/Broadview.

•Signalization of Blue Island Yard Running Tracks.

•Construction of a highway-rail grade separation structure at Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Company and CSX Transportation, Inc. grade crossing at 71st Street.

•Fourteen roadway/sidewalk/curb projects as part of the Viaduct Improvement Program to enhance safety and security for motorists and pedestrians.

Overall, the CREATE program includes more than 46 rail and 25 highway-rail grade separation projects that involve restructuring, modernizing and expanding freight and passenger rail and constructing new highway-rail grade separations in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Mendez added that the program supports President Obama’s National Export Initiative to double the nation’s exports in five years.