OmniTRAX on Feb. 26 reported launching a multi-modal logistics hub in the city of Blue Island, just south of Chicago, that offers access to all Class I’s through Chicago Rail Link, one of the 30-plus small roads managed by OmniTrax, an affiliate of The Broe Group.
OmniTrax signed a long-term lease for the 90-acre parcel, which borders 119th and Division streets within The City of Blue Island Commercial Center. The site features bulk commodity rail-to-truck transloading, secure truck and trailer storage, and secure container storage.
“This is an extremely rare rail-served industrial site in the heart Chicago that offers unparalleled market access,” OmniTRAX Senior Vice President Chris Tecu said. “The City of Blue Island has a proud industrial and rail heritage that makes this partnership a perfect fit. This is fantastic public-private partnership that is the model for shared success.”
According to OmniTrax, Chicago Rail Link first served the Blue Island Yard in 1992.
“This project will bring new jobs and new investment to the City of Blue Island,” Mayor Fred Bilotto noted. “We are excited to partner with an experienced infrastructure company like OmniTRAX that brings national relationships and industry leading service to help our community attract new partnerships that build long-term community value.”
Separately, OmniTRAX last August signed an agreement with a second soda ash producer to provide exclusive third-party rail switching in Green River, Wyo. In addition to serving the Tata Chemical Soda Ash Partners mine, which was announced earlier in August, OmniTRAX is serving WE Soda’s Westvaco mining facility.
