Flyover bridge to help ease rail congestion

Officials say a new flyover bridge will help relieve rail congestion in Chicago and create nearly 1,500 jobs.

The project got $133 million in federal stimulus money and construction's supposed to start this year.

Officials say the project will relieve rail congestion with a bridge carrying the Metra Rock Island District lines over the Norfolk Southern/Amtrak tracks on Chicago's South Side.

Besides helping to move cargo faster, the bridge will help erase delays on the Metra line.

U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure committee chairman Jim Oberstar was in Chicago Friday for the announcement. He was joined by Illinois leaders, including Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

Oberstar says the project will relieve some of the congestion along Chicago's crowded tracks.