Our Projects

The 130th/Torrence and Norfolk Southern Grade Separation delivers substantial time saving, safety improvements, and mobility gains for the local community and freight rail operators.  The grade crosing separation enables greater accessibility and safety in the area. Prior to the project, major manufacturing operations interrupted resident and commuter mobility. This location is also designated as a “911 Critical Crossing,” which is a critical location for emergency services to access communities that have a high frequency of train movements or delays. The grade separation eliminated this issue.

Nearby Chicago, IL Community Areas: Hegewisch and South Deering

A Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant is located within the northwest quadrant of the 130th Street and Torrence Avenue intersection. The grade separation is located next to the Ford New Car Shipping Center and the separation was a critical improvement needed in order to attract and retain this employer. All new cars must be driven from the assembly plant to the Shipping Center across the grade separation. Previously, freight trains could block the road into the facility for up to 20 minutes. When a freight train obstructed the road, two aspects of Ford’s operations were affected: 1) Employees could not enter the employee parking lot, and to access another entrance they needed to drive a 10-mile loop; 2) Finished cars driven off the assembly line were delayed in their arrival to Ford’s nearby Shipping Yard where they are driven onto rail cars or trucks to be shipped throughout the U.S and the world. This grade separation eliminated these issues and supported the approximately 4,000 jobs at that site. The grade separation and realignment of the roadways is also expected to attract other industries to relocate to the Calumet area.

Over 50 freight trains benefit from reduced idling.

Rail infrastructure improvements benefit the whole rail system.