The federal Surface Transportation Board has rejected Great Lakes Basin Transportation's application to build and operate a 261-mile freight railroad from LaPorte County to southeast Wisconsin.

The application called for a rural rail hub that would consumer farm ground in much of Kankakee County. Opposition came from the Farm Bureau and area legislators.

The decision, issued Wednesday, states "GLBT has failed to provide the board with accurate financial information upon which the board can rely to make a determination on the transportation merits of the project."

Financial statements pointed out that "GLBT’s current assets are clearly deficient for purposes of constructing a 261-mile rail line that the board will not proceed with this application given the impacts on stakeholders and the demands upon board resources," the STB ruled.

Company attorney Michael Blaszak said Thursday that GLBT "is assessing its options with respect to the board's decision today and will have no further comment on the decision."

94.1 WGFA