Our Projects

The Englewood flyover eliminated conflict between 78 Metra Rock Island trains and approximately 60 freight and Amtrak trains that previously crossed at grade through the Englewood interlocking daily. The project relieved a significant source of delay for Amtrak trains from Michigan and points east, as well as for NS freight trains. By eliminating many of these delays, the project reduced locomotive engine idling, resulting in reduced emissions and improved air quality.

This project included the construction of a rail-rail flyover to carry the north – south Metra Rock Island line over the east-west NS/Amtrak line. It constructed bridges to accommodate three tracks to carry Metra operations over the four tracks of NS and a possible future fifth track for a high speed intercity passenger rail connection to points east and/or south.

This project’s completion was needed before two adjacent CREATE projects could add additional trains to the lines at the Englewood Flyover location. The 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project, including CREATE projects EW2, P2, P3 and GS19, will divert Metra SouthWest Service trains to the Rock Island District south of Englewood. The Grand Crossing Project (CREATE Project P4) will divert 6 daily Amtrak trains to the NS Chicago Line east of Englewood. Without the Englewood Flyover in place first, implementation of these other projects would have greatly increased delays at the Englewood interlocking.