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12/16/2024
Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program representatives announced Dec. 13 that more than $290 million has been awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation to accelerate improvements to the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project (CIP), the largest rail chokepoint in the Chicago region.
Awarded through USDOT's Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program, the federal funding will come from the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) program and Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program. The grants will go toward the next phase of the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project, specifically Segment A of the CREATE Project EW2, a 3-mile elevated rail corridor on Chicago's South Side.
The project entails critical upgrades and increased capacity, including reconfigured track segments, new signals at Belt Junction, a third track addition to the Norfolk Southern Railway line, and the replacement and restoration of 14 aging bridge and viaduct structures, CREATE officials said in a press release.
"Addressing this critical chokepoint will strengthen rail safety and fluidity locally while also paving the way for a more resilient supply chain and sustainable growth across the nation," said Association of American Railroads President and CEO Ian Jefferies.
A substantial portion of this project must be completed to start building the Rock Island Connection (P2) project. The capacity increase is necessary for realizing the travel time and throughput benefits of P2, allowing Metra to direct 30 SouthWest Service trains to LaSalle Street station and freeing up around 30 slots at Chicago Union Station for Amtrak and Metra service expansions, CREATE officials said.
Launched in 2003, the CREATE program involves 70 projects designed to separate freight and passenger trains at six key junctions. The projects will eliminate about two dozen grade crossings and increase rail capacity, speed and reliability in the Chicago area.
One of every four freight trains moving in the United States passes through Chicago, and about 500 freight and 800 passenger/commuter trains travel in or throughout the city each day.