FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Airport Rail Relocation on the Right Track

PRESS RELEASE Contact: Chris Curry Phone: 219-949-4913 Email: ccurry@gyymail.com Date: June 26, 2008

June 26, 2008 (Gary, IN) - Chris Curry, Gary Chicago International Airport (GCIA) Director, announced today that the airport has a signed a Preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (PMOU) with the Elgin Joliet & Eastern (EJ&E), CSX and the Norfolk Southern (NS) railroads.

This agreement addresses the necessary relocation of the EJ&E tracks that border the airport to allow for expansion of the primary runway (Runway 30) to approximately 8,900 feet, and the shift of CSX operations to the NS Gary Branch commonly known as the "Sugar Track" which allows the airport to eventually extend the crosswind runway.

The PMOU establishes a common agreement to the scope of projects and defines the commitments accordingly with regards to the engineering and financing that will lead to a final agreement. The airport worked through the Northwest Indiana Forum to convene and facilitate a regional working team that worked on the specific details of the project.

According to Curry, "The team worked long, hard hours on making this agreement come to fruition. These professionals understood the needs of the airport to fully reach its potential while at the same time worked to enhance the movement of freight and commerce to ensure the economic viability of NW Indiana well into the future."

Rail representatives from CSX, the EJ&E, the NS and regional leaders including Gary Chicago International Airport Authority, with assistance from Senator Bayh, Senator Lugar, and Congressman Visclosky, came together and ultimately reached an agreement.

The PMOU gives the airport a solid commitment from the railroad, a commitment needed to pursue the primary runway expansion and anticipated crosswind runway improvements.

For more information, contact Chris Curry, Gary Chicago International Airport Director at 219/949-4913 or ccurry@gyymail.com.