CREATE partners break ground on Forest Hill Flyover, 71st Street grade separation projects

Rail industry and Illinois leaders gathered yesterday to mark the start of construction on the Forest Hill Flyover at CSX's Forest Hill Yard, the largest project yet under the Chicago Region Environment and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program.

The group also kicked off construction on the 71st Street Grade Separation project, which will eliminate an existing CSX grade crossing at 71st Street. The projects are also the first two components out of four major projects that will be implemented as part of the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project (CIP), CREATE officials said in a press release.

The estimated cost for both projects is $380 million. The Forest Hill Flyover involves the construction of a bridge to eliminate conflicts between north-south and east-west train movements at Forest Hill Junction. 

By significantly eliminating conflicts between the Belt Railway Co. of Chicago, CSX, Norfolk Southern Railway and Metra trains at the location, the flyover will improve freight fluidity. The north-south rail-rail flyover at 75th Street will eliminate conflict between 30 SouthWest Service Metra trains and 35 freight trains operating on CSX's Western Avenue Corridor.

The accompanying 71st Street grade separation will solve conflict points at the crossing, where pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers using the street must currently wait for trains to pass, CREATE officials said.

CREATE officials recently announced that CSX selected Granite Construction Co. as the contractor for the Forest Hill Flyover and the 71st Street grade separation. 

"This project will help ease congestion for the motoring public," said CSX Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Nathan Goldman. "[It] will eliminate the existing CSX grade crossing at 71st Street, not only enhancing safety but also helping improve fluidity in one of the most heavily trafficked rail corridors." 

In 2018, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $132 million to the CREATE partners through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program for the CIP and Argo Connections projects. The federal investment — combined with $260 million in state, local and private dollars — will fund the construction of the Forest Hill Flyover and 71st Street grade separation.