CN-UP interchange agreement to reduce traffic at Chicago

CN-UP interchange agreement to reduce traffic at Chicago    A routing agreement established by Canadian National and Union Pacific railroads promises to improve the interchange of freight traffic at Chicago.
   The railroads said the agreement, announced Nov. 24, will direct rail traffic through the “most efficient interchange locations.” The agreement will be implemented during the next three months, the railroads said.
   The major interchange points for traffic moving between CN and UP are Superior, Wis.; Chicago and Salem, Ill.; Memphis; Baton Rouge, La.; and via the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad, at Vancouver, British Columbia.
   “The routing protocol will result in a number of changes in traffic patterns,” CN and UP said. For example, rail traffic moving between Western Canada and Texas will now be consolidated and interchanged at Superior, avoiding the Chicago terminal and reducing handlings en route, the railroads said.