Project Profile: Chicago’s 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project (CREATE P3)

The 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project (CIP) is a critical infrastructure initiative designed to resolve the most congested rail chokepoint in the Chicago terminal district. As a key component of the CREATE Program, this project employs grade separations and track realignments to unsnarl conflicting freight and passenger rail movements, significantly enhancing network fluidity and capacity for North America’s busiest rail hub.

Technical Specifications

The core engineering challenge of the 75th Street CIP is the at-grade crossing conflicts between 98 daily freight trains and 30 Metra commuter trains. The project’s primary solution involves extensive grade separation and track reconfiguration. A new double-track flyover bridge will be constructed to carry the Metra Southwest Service (SWS) line over the existing tracks, connecting it directly to the Rock Island District (RID) line, eliminating a major point of conflict at Forest Hill Junction. A second major flyover will separate freight traffic, specifically CSX tracks from those used by Belt Railway of Chicago and Norfolk Southern.

In total, the project scope includes the construction of 47.3 km of new track and the relocation of 17.3 km of existing track. Structural work is substantial, encompassing the construction of four new rail bridges, the replacement of three, and the refurbishment of 23 others. Signaling systems will be modernized across the corridor to support increased traffic velocity and safety. The project also addresses community impact by eliminating the highway-rail grade crossing at 71st Street and constructing a new grade separation, while improving 36 existing rail viaducts to enhance local road connectivity.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Decongestion: By untangling Belt Junction—the most severe rail bottleneck in the Chicago region—the project will generate cascading efficiency improvements across the national freight network and enhance Metra commuter rail reliability.
• Model for Public-Private Partnership: The project’s $474 million funding is a benchmark for collaborative infrastructure investment, combining a $132 million federal INFRA grant with significant contributions from the state, county, city, passenger rail, and the freight railway industry ($116 million).
• High Economic Return on Investment: With a projected economic benefit exceeding $3.8 billion, the project demonstrates a significant return, driven by reduced shipping delays, lower operating costs for rail carriers, and increased regional productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project be completed?

The 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project is a large-scale, multi-phase initiative. While significant construction milestones are being met, final completion of all components is currently projected for the late 2020s, with benefits to rail operations materializing as each phase becomes operational.

Who is building the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project?

The project is managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in partnership with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Association of American Railroads (AAR). Multiple engineering and construction firms are contracted for various project components, working in close coordination with the rail operators, including Metra, Amtrak, CSX, and Norfolk Southern.