Our Projects

Beltway Corridor

Summit Signalization

Topline Community Benefits

Increased freight and passenger rail reliability for over 90 trains.

Significant speed improvements.

Modern physical and digital infrastructure upgrades.

Enhanced capacity and operational efficiency.

Project Funding Needs

Fully funded and complete

Project Location Map

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Municipality

Bedford Park, Bridgeview, Summit

Project Area

North Limit	W 59th St.
South Limit	63rd St.
East Limit	Archer Rd.
West Limit	Service Rd.

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Project Overview & Impact

The Summit Signalization upgraded a 40 year-old signal system along the Indiana Harbor Belt (IHB) Corridor from Bedford Park to Summit, Illinois. This project increased speeds of freight trains through the project area. Prior to the $3.2 million project, passenger trains often experienced delays due to slow moving freight trains that could not clear the intersection of the Heritage Corridor and IHB rail lines, resulting from the antiquated signal system. This project’s upgraded signalization has reduced cross traffic interference with Metra and Amtrak trains on the Heritage Corridor.

Project Benefits

Communities

The Summit Signalization improves the rail system by providing modern infrastructure that contributes to enhanced safety, increased operating speeds, and additional capacity.

Nearby Chicago, IL Community Areas: Bedford Park, Bridgeview, and Summit

Communities service by Metra Heritage Corridor service and Amtrak Texas Eagle and Lincoln Service

Jobs & Economics

Increased freight and passenger rail movement enables higher throughput of goods/commuters and associated economic activity.

Environmental

Improved operations and design reduces emissions from idling trains.

Passenger Rail Services

Improved passenger rail service for Metra’s Heritage Corridor and Amtrak’s Lincoln and Texas Eagle services.

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	Completed

Phase III	Completed

Project Status Definitions:
– Phase I: Environmental & Preliminary Engineering
– Phase II: Final Design (Plans, Specifications & Estimates)
– Phase III: Construction

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