Our Projects
Columbus Avenue & Belt Railway Company Grade Separation
Topline Community Benefits
Substantial time savings and safety improvements by reducing vehicle delay, alleviating 36,800 annual motorist hours of delay.
Improve mobility for emergency services.
Idling vehicle reductions will result in an emissions reduction and localized air quality improvements.
Project Funding Needs
Project Location Map
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Municipality
Chicago
Project Area
| North Limit | W 74th St. |
|---|---|
| South Limit | W Columbus Ave. |
| East Limit | S Campbell Ave. |
| West Limit | S Maplewood Ave. |
Project Overview & Impact
The Columbus Avenue & Belt Railway Company Grade Separation will reduce roadway congestion and improve safety at this location. Daily, 11,500 vehicles pass through the crossing. The grade crosing separation will eliminate delay to nearly 1,700 vehicles daily, resulting in alleviation of more than 36,800 annual motorist hours of delay. It will also eliminate the potential for collisions between vehicles and trains.
This location is designated a “911 Critical Crossing,” which means it is a critical location for emergency services to access communities with a high frequency of train movements or delays. The grade separation will eliminate this issue.
This project will consider eliminating the at-grade crossing of Columbus Avenue by three Belt Railway Company of Chicago (BRC) tracks. This will be accomplished by creating either an overpass or underpass for vehicles using Columbus Avenue at this location.
Project Benefits
CommunitiesThe Columbus Avenue & Belt Railway Company Grade Separation will create substantial time saving and safety improvements. The grade crosing separation will eliminate delay to over 11,500 vehicles daily, resulting in alleviation of 36,800 annual motorist hours of delay.
Chicago, IL Community Areas: Ashburn Community Area
Jobs & EconomicsThis crossing’s improvements will boost local and regional economic throughput by ensuring steady passenger and freight service.
EnvironmentalThis project will consider eliminating the at-grade crossing of Columbus Avenue by three Belt Railway Company of Chicago (BRC) tracks. This will be accomplished by creating either an overpass or underpass for vehicles using Columbus Avenue at this location, creating a safer, more welcoming pedestrian experience.
Passenger Rail ServicesThis project will eliminate the potential for collisions between vehicles and trains.
Get Involved
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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 | Funded |
|---|
Project Status Definitions:
– Phase I: Environmental & Preliminary Engineering
– Phase II: Final Design (Plans, Specifications & Estimates)
– Phase III: Construction
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