2nd large railroad not interested in proposed Chicago bypass

MUNSTER, Ind. (AP) - A second large railroad has told federal officials it isn't interested in a proposed $8 billion, 278-mile rail line from Indiana to Wisconsin aimed at relieving Chicago-area freight congestion.

The (Munster) Times reported Friday (http://bit.ly/1XWDZ3K ) that Norfolk Southern has submitted a letter to the U.S. Surface Transportation Board saying it has multiple routes into the Chicago area and a bypass route that goes to Kansas City, so it doesn't believe it would use the proposed Great Lakes Basin Railroad.

The Union Pacific Railroad earlier had said it wasn't interested.

The project has encountered opposition in northwestern Indiana over noise and safety, among other concerns.

Public comment continues through June 15 with the transportation board.