Our Projects
Harlem Avenue & BNSF Grade Separation
Topline Community Benefits
Safety and environmental improvments will benefit the local community, freight rail operators, and passenger rail operators and users.
This crossing will improve Metra’s busiest line, BNSF.
Substantial time savings and safety improvements by reducing collision potential.
Improved mobility for all roadway and rail users.
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
Berwyn, Riverside
Project Area
| North Limit | Burlington St. |
|---|---|
| South Limit | Windsor Ave. |
| East Limit | Maple Ave. |
| West Limit | N Delaplaine Rd. |
Project Overview & Impact
Over 27,000 vehicles and Pace bus lines #302 and #307 pass through the Harlem Avenue and BNSF Grade Separation daily. Harlem Avenue (IL-43) is a primary arterial roadway, and this project will reduce roadway congestion and improve safety at this location. The grade crossing separation would alleviate over 188,000 annual motorist hours of delay and significantly improve travel time reliability Since this is also proximate to a Metra commuter station, it will improve mobility and safety for commuter access to and from the station, both pedestrian and vehicular.
Metra and Amtrak both operate intercity and commuter rail service on these tracks. This will be accomplished by creating either an overpass or underpass for vehicles at this location.
Project Benefits
CommunitiesThe Harlem Avenue and BNSF Grade Separation will create substantial time saving and safety improvements. The grade crosing separation will eliminate delay to over 27,000 vehicles daily, resulting in alleviation of 188,000 annual motorist hours of delay. Harlem Avenue (IL-43) is a primary arterial roadway, and this project will reduce roadway congestion and improve safety at this location.
Nearby Chicago, IL Community Areas: Berwyn and Riverside
Jobs & EconomicsThis crossing’s improvements will boost local and regional economic throughput by carrying commuters from downtown to the suburbs by Metra and Pace. 40 freight trains will also benefit from the grade separation.
EnvironmentalThis project will be accomplished by creating either an overpass or underpass for vehicles and Pace buses, creating a more fuel efficient condition for both roadway and freight/passenger rail operators. Since this is also proximate to a Metra commuter station, it will improve mobility and safety for commuter access to and from the station, both pedestrian and vehicular.
Passenger Rail ServicesThis project improves the station environment as well as contribute to more reliable service on 94 Metra trains are served along with six Amtrak trains.
Project Status
| Phase I | Upcoming |
|---|
| Phase II | Upcoming |
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| Phase III | Upcoming |
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Project Status Definitions:
– Phase I: Environmental & Preliminary Engineering
– Phase II: Final Design (Plans, Specifications & Estimates)
– Phase III: Construction
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