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Keeping the GO in Chicago

The CREATE Program is improving the way passengers and goods move over rail. We’re modernizing the Chicago region's rail network to add capacity, reduce travel times and improve safety.

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Efficiency: Unraveling Freight Bottlenecks

Each year, nearly half of the nation’s intermodal trains pass through the Chicago region. The CREATE Program is modernizing our rail network so we can better handle today’s traffic and accommodate expected growth in demand for freight.

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Safety: Protecting People and Products

Safety is a top priority for railroads. The CREATE Program is bringing new technology and modern railway infrastructure to help protect people and products.

People:

People: Supporting Community Growth

Improving rail and road transportation helps people and businesses throughout the Chicago region receive the goods and services they need while providing community benefits that will last beyond the CREATE Program. The CREATE Program strives to build equity within neighborhoods across the Chicagoland region by engaging the local workforce and providing environmental benefits as well as supporting local schools and community improvements within the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project.

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Projects
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across the Chicago region

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of national and regional significance

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generated in economic benefits 

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estimated job years created

This project will eliminate the most congested rail chokepoint in the Chicago Terminal, Belt Junction, where 30 Metra and 90 freight trains per day cross each other’s paths. The rail-rail flyover at 75th Street will eliminate conflict between 30 SouthWest Service Metra trains and 35 freight trains operating on the Western Avenue Corridor (CSX). The construction of an additional main line for Metra operation and the rail-rail flyover connection will reduce congestion and freight conflicts and will connect Metra’s SouthWest Service with the existing Rock Island District tracks, increasing capacity and improving reliability.

This project will allow SouthWest Service trains access to LaSalle Street Station instead of Union Station, which increases capacity for the SouthWest Service while also freeing capacity at Union Station for increased Amtrak service and proposed high-speed rail. This project also is expected to improve Amtrak Cardinal service performance by eliminating freight conflicts in the vicinity of 80th Street. The road-rail grade crossing separation at 71st Street will reduce neighborhood traffic delay and improve safety.

CREATE Program Map

Explore CREATE's regional impact with the interactive project mapping tool.

Scroll, zoom, and select the project icons to learn more about past and current rail investments across the region.

Featured Bids & Request for Proposals

CREATE B12 CSXT/IHB Third Mainline in Alsip, IL

Chicago DOT Issuing an Invitation to Bid on CREATE Project GS11 Railroad Grade Separation: Columbus Ave. at Maplewood Ave.

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Closed | 08/16/2024

See What CREATE is
Working on now

Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the U.S. DOT, State of Illinois, Cook County, City of Chicago, Metra, Amtrak and the nation’s freight railroads. A project of national significance, CREATE will invest billions in critically needed improvements to increase the efficiency of the region’s passenger and freight rail infrastructure and enhance the quality of life for Chicago-area residents.

CREATE Program Benefits

Testimonials / Success Story

2024 Annual Newsletter

As we continue through 2024, the CREATE Program continues to improve freight and passenger transportation by building bridges and improving connections serving the Chicago …

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