Canadian National Railway Co. has signed a deal authorizing the moving of its tracks to make way for the expansion of Gary/Chicago International Airport's main runway, the Northwest Indiana Times reports. Airport officials say the railroad inked the deal Nov. 2, just three business days after the airport authority board approved the deal.

The purchase-and-sale agreement now approved by both parties means final design work and construction can begin on moving tracks that sit on an embankment just 130 feet from the northwest end of its main runway. Once the tracks are moved, the runway can be extended to 8,900 feet in length from its current 7,000 feet.

The expansion project is being funded with grants from the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as contributions from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and the Chicago/Gary Airport Authority.