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| FIRST ON WGIL: IDOT Official Visits Galesburg Rail Yard |
Illinois' Secretary of Transportation made his way to the area Monday, to hear from local officials about the importance of a local railroad and its potential for expansion.
Transportation Secretary and former legislator Gary Hannig, who was invited by 74th District Representative Don Moffitt, came to the area and visited Galesburg's largest employer and discussed possible expansion of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail yard, as well as funding for grade separations, improving the Galesburg Amtrak Depot, and hear about the development of the National Railroad Hall of Fame.
Secretary Hannig said he comes from a railroading family and that his father used to take him to work on the weekends. Hannig tells WGIL it was great to hear from local leaders who attended the meeting. "I think it's important the community seems to be united in their willingness to adopt a plan of action," Hannig said. "And that's important, because now their legislators in Springfield can speak with one voice, and they've impressed me with what I've seen today."
Other members of the Galesburg community were also on hand for the meeting. Mayor Sal Garza, Knox County Board Chairman Greg Bacon, City Manager Dane Bragg, and GREDA representatives Tom Schmidt and Greg Mangieri, along with BNSF officials spoke with Hannig about their support for funding for area improvements that need to be made.
Hannig says he got to see first hand the need for grade separations in town because on their way to the rail yard, Moffitt and Hannig got stuck at a crossing as they were looking at a site for a proposed separation.
(Galesburg Mayor Sal Garza, left, speaks while State Sen. Dale Risinger, IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig, and State Rep. Don Moffitt, among others, listen.)
(State Rep. Don Moffitt, right, makes a point Monday, while State Sen. Dale Risinger, left, and IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig listen. WGIL News Story and Photos by Dominic Fortini.) |
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| 05 11 09 by Newsroom |
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