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Amtrak Seeks Solutions To Chicago Rail Congestion

CHICAGO (AP) -- Amtrak is setting up a panel of experts to find solutions to Chicago's rail gridlock.

Despite some successes, Amtrak officials say the city's freight and passenger rail lines remain tangled and congested.

In an announcement Tuesday, Amtrak cited delays of four hours or more for passenger trains running between Chicago and Cleveland, calling them a near daily occurrence.

Chicago is the most important hub for Amtrak, which has to share space on tracks owned by freight railroads. Chicago is also the main gateway for freight traffic between the East and West coasts.

The Amtrak panel is expected to issue recommendations by the end of May. Its members are former U.S. Rep. Jack Quinn, former head of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board Linda Morgan and Amtrak board member Tom Carper.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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