CenterPoint Intermodal Center

CenterPoint Intermodal Center is an intermodal freight terminal located in Elwood, Illinois. It is considered the largest inland port in North America.[1]

The Intermodal Center includes a 785 acre Union Pacific Railroad complex just south of Joliet and a 770 acre BNSF Railway complex further to the southwest.[2] The facility's location was formerly part of the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant. Construction of the Intermodal Center began as part of the Joliet Arsenal redevelopment effort after 2000.[3] The village of Elwood supported this with $150 million of TIF funding.[4]

Local concerns

As the freight traffic from Centerpoint grew, neighboring communities began to complain of safety, traffic and noise impacts. In 2014 the Village of Elwood attempted to enforce designated truck routes, but Centerpoint fought this in court.[5]

Elwood has also sued Centerpoint regarding the use of their TIF funds, claiming that the project has generated less revenue and fewer jobs than promised.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Governor Quinn Breaks Ground on New Shipping Facility in Joliet Intermodal Park". Illinois.gov. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "The Mullen Presentation" (PDF). Northwestern University Transportation Center. 23 February 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  3. ↑ "About JADA". Jada.org. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  4. ↑ Reiher, Nick (7 February 2013). "Elwood sues CenterPoint over TIF dollars for intermodal". Bugle Newspapers. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  5. ↑ Healy, Vikki Ortiz (9 July 2014). "Small town Elwood fights big-time truck traffic". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  6. ↑ "Elwood sues industrial developer over incentives deal". Chicago Tribune.