Our Projects
Clearing Main Lines
Topline Community Benefits
Increased speed and efficiency of the regional rail network.
Fewer freight service disruptions.
Enhanced rail infrastructure and capacity.
Project Funding Needs
Project Location Map
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Municipality
Chicago
Project Area
| North Limit | W 69th St. |
|---|---|
| South Limit | W 76th St. |
| East Limit | S St. Louis Ave. |
| West Limit | S Harlem Ave. |
Project Overview & Impact
Project EW1 will increase speed and efficiency of through trains traversing Clearing Yard. The new main track will enable trains to travel on the new route at 25 mph along the south side of the yard. Yard capacity improvements to an interlocking at the east end of Clearing Yard will allow for multiple simultaneous train movements.
The additional capacity of this new corridor will more evenly distribute trains throughout the regional rail network and reduce the burden on the congested existing corridors (Beltway and Western Avenue). In addition, the new corridor provides critical redundancy in the regional rail network by providing a new east-west route through the region. In the event of maintenance work or service disruptions along the existing corridors, this route will allow freight train flows to be maintained.
This project will construct two new 4.8-mile main tracks around the south side of Clearing Yard, in Bedford Park and Chicago between Harlem Avenue and St. Louis Avenue in Chicago. The project will install crossovers and turnouts at the CP West Subdivision, CP Central and CP East End. This will provide three new control points that include the installation of a series of crossovers.
Project EW1 includes yard improvements to offset the loss of yard capacity due to the new main lines. Yard work includes realignment of switching lead tracks, run-though tracks, tracks leading to the hump used to classify cars, and construction of additional departure yard tracks. All of this work will be within the existing railroad right-of-way.
Project Benefits
CommunitiesProject EW1 will decongest and bolster the regional rail network’s capacity and efficiencies, allowing for more seamless freight flows. This will reduce idling train emissions, improving the local environment and regional goods movement simultaneously.
Chicago, IL Community Areas: Bedford Park, Bridgeview, Ashburn, Chicago Lawn, Clearing, and West Lawn
Jobs & EconomicsFewer freight service disruptions will increase rail capacity and throughput. This means trains can deliver goods faster to consumers.
EnvironmentalThe decongested rail network reduces locomotive emissions, improving noise and air quaity.
Passenger Rail ServicesFreight rail improvements benefit the entire rail system.
Get Involved
If your organization is interested in working with the CREATE Program, please refer to our Bid Advertisements and RFP page to apply for active projects.
We also encourage you to attend our Get On Board: Business-to-Business networking events, Union Outreach events, and other relevant events to learn more about the Program and build connections. Please see our Events page for the latest information on upcoming events.
CREATE partners also fund on-the-job training on construction projects for entry-level positions who have graduated from IDOT’s Highway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP). For more information on the program, please click here to learn more.
Project Status
| Phase I | Completed |
|---|
| Phase II | Underway |
|---|
| Phase III | Upcoming |
|---|
Project Status Definitions:
– Phase I: Environmental & Preliminary Engineering
– Phase II: Final Design (Plans, Specifications & Estimates)
– Phase III: Construction
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