Chicago's $380 Million Rail Project Celebrated as Bottleneck Relieved
Transportation officials gathered to commemorate the completion of the Forest Hill Flyover project, a massive $380 million rail infrastructure undertaking that promises to breathe new life into one of Chicago's most congested rail lines. Spanning 3 miles, this elevated rail corridor in the Ashburn neighborhood is part of the larger 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project.
The Forest Hill Flyover marks a significant milestone for the CREATE Program, a public-private partnership that brought together stakeholders to tackle a long-standing bottleneck in Chicago's rail system. Once completed, the flyover promises to separate freight and commuter trains, eliminating daily interference between around 35 freight trains and 30 passenger trains.
"We're seeing the tangible benefits of smart investment and collaboration," said Steve Angel, president and CEO of CSX, the lead partner on the project. "Chicago is one of the nation's most critical rail hubs, and this project showcases how we can work together to deliver lasting value for our transportation system."
The $380 million project was funded through a combination of federal and state grants, as well as partnerships with local governments and six major railroads. Crews poured over 8,300 cubic yards of concrete, installed 23.5 million pounds of steel, and constructed more than 3,400 retaining wall pieces to complete the flyover.
"This project shows what's possible when we work together," said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. "The railroads, federal, state, and local governments have come together to tackle one of the worst rail bottlenecks in the country."
For Chicago residents, the Forest Hill Flyover promises to bring faster travel times, improved safety, and reduced congestion in already busy neighborhoods. With over 35% of U.S. freight trains passing through connections in the Chicago region, the CREATE Program's success is a significant step towards modernizing the nation's infrastructure.
The completion of the Forest Hill Flyover marks the program's 36th project completed out of 70, and officials say it highlights the CREATE Program's role as a national model for improving mobility, supply chains, and overall transportation efficiency.
Transportation officials gathered to commemorate the completion of the Forest Hill Flyover project, a massive $380 million rail infrastructure undertaking that promises to breathe new life into one of Chicago's most congested rail lines. Spanning 3 miles, this elevated rail corridor in the Ashburn neighborhood is part of the larger 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project.
The Forest Hill Flyover marks a significant milestone for the CREATE Program, a public-private partnership that brought together stakeholders to tackle a long-standing bottleneck in Chicago's rail system. Once completed, the flyover promises to separate freight and commuter trains, eliminating daily interference between around 35 freight trains and 30 passenger trains.
"We're seeing the tangible benefits of smart investment and collaboration," said Steve Angel, president and CEO of CSX, the lead partner on the project. "Chicago is one of the nation's most critical rail hubs, and this project showcases how we can work together to deliver lasting value for our transportation system."
The $380 million project was funded through a combination of federal and state grants, as well as partnerships with local governments and six major railroads. Crews poured over 8,300 cubic yards of concrete, installed 23.5 million pounds of steel, and constructed more than 3,400 retaining wall pieces to complete the flyover.
"This project shows what's possible when we work together," said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. "The railroads, federal, state, and local governments have come together to tackle one of the worst rail bottlenecks in the country."
For Chicago residents, the Forest Hill Flyover promises to bring faster travel times, improved safety, and reduced congestion in already busy neighborhoods. With over 35% of U.S. freight trains passing through connections in the Chicago region, the CREATE Program's success is a significant step towards modernizing the nation's infrastructure.
The completion of the Forest Hill Flyover marks the program's 36th project completed out of 70, and officials say it highlights the CREATE Program's role as a national model for improving mobility, supply chains, and overall transportation efficiency.
idk how they deal with it, especially after winter is over and u have to go back to work 
anyway, whats up w/ this rail project tho? sounds like a big deal 
but think about all the concrete that had to be poured 
8,300 cu yards of it?! thats like, whoa 
. and like 3 miles of elevated rail corridor is a big deal, i guess? 
. but for real though, it's awesome that they're finally tackling these bottlenecks and making the city safer 
. gotta keep an eye on this program tho, sounds like they might be changing the game nationwide 
. and now, all these trains can move more freely, reducing congestion in neighborhoods that already feel super busy 
. for commuters, this is a huge win - faster travel times mean they can get to work without getting stuck in traffic 
I was watching this old sci-fi flick the other day and it got me thinking... wouldn't it be awesome if we had actual time-travel technology? Can you imagine being able to go back and witness history firsthand? Like, I'd totally want to see ancient Egypt or something. And think about all the amazing discoveries that could be made! 
Ugh, it's all so complicated... anyway, back to Chicago and its awesome rail projects. 
. Can't wait to see how it impacts traffic and travel times in the Ashburn neighborhood 