Our Projects

Project P4 will provide a new direct route for Amtrak trains from New Orleans or Carbondale into Chicago Union Station, and to provide sufficient mainline capacity to accommodate additional Amtrak trains along with freight traffic. This will eliminate delays and reconfigure the land use to serve future needs.

Chicago, IL Community Areas: Avalon Park, Chatham, Englewood, Fuller Park, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, New City, Woodlawn, Douglas, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Near South Side, Armour Square, and Bridgeport.

Communities served by Amtrak Illini/Saluki through Champaign and Carbondale, IL and City of New Orleans service between Chicago and New Orleans, LA

This project has a local, regional, and national impact, benefitting commuters, freight and passenger rail operators alike. These improved efficiencies will enable higher levels of goods and passenger throughput.

Faster, more direct passenger and freight rail services will mitigate idling locomotives, improving local air quality and public health outcomes.

This project will allow the six current Amtrak trains serving Champaign, Carbondale and points south to reroute more directly. The updated route will eliminate the current configuration required for Amtrak trains to access Chicago Union Station and eliminate the motor vehicle back-up caused at 16th Street near Halsted. This re-route will reduce travel times by approximately 10-15 minutes each way. The project will also increase capacity on a congested section of the Norfolk Southern mainline which currently serves 14 daily Amtrak trains between Chicago and points east.