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Congress To Look At Chicago's Olympic Bid And Transit Needs

Posted by: Nate Berg

17 October 2007 - 5:00am

At a time when funding is a major concern, a congressional hearing later this month will look at the transportation needs of Chicago as it tries to win hosting duties for the 2016 Olympics.

"A national spotlight will be focused on the Chicago area's mass-transit crisis just days before the scheduled first round of CTA "doomsday" service cuts when a congressional committee holds a hearing on the city's transportation needs for the 2016 Olympic bid, it was announced Monday."

"The hearing later this month might provide the political spark to bring together leaders of the Illinois General Assembly and Gov. Rod Blagojevich to cut a deal on new funding for the cash-strapped Chicago Transit Authority, Pace and Metra, according to civic leaders who have been pushing for a resolution of the monthslong legislative stalemate."

"A contentious outcome would clearly make it harder for the Illinois congressional delegation to garner support among fellow lawmakers to build transportation projects boosting Chicago's quest to host the summer Olympic Games in nine years."

"In addition, it would be difficult to bring home more grants and funding for other badly needed work on transit, roads and bridges across the state when federal transportation legislation comes up for reauthorization in 2009."

Full Story: Mass-transit crisis could complicate city's Olympic prospects
Source: The Chicago Tribune, October 16, 2007
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