August 26, 2025
From Concept to Reality: CREATE P3 Forest Hill Flyover
Topping-Out, Clearing the Way for Chicago Rail Acceleration
On June 30, CSX Transportation joined GFT, Granite Construction, Parsons, local agencies, and members of Ironworkers Local Union 1 to celebrate the final 130-foot steel girder placement on the Forest Hill Flyover (75th Street Corridor Improvement Project [75th St. CIP]). This officially “topped out” one of the most congested rail chokepoints in the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program.
CREATE Program
One out of every four freight trains goes through Chicago every day, accounting for 500 freight and 800 passenger/commuter trains. Critical to the national rail network‘s reliability and growth, the CREATE Program was established in September 2003. As the largest rail-focused public private partnership, this collaboration between all six Class 1 rail companies and multiple levels of government works together to improve Chicago’s critical rail infrastructure.
Representative organizations include:
- Illinois Department of Transportation.
- CSX Transportation.
- Metra (Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation).
- Chicago Department of Transportation.
Project Overview & Impact
The 75th St. CIP consists of four projects that, when combined, represent the most complex portion of the CREATE Program. With each project including the same logistical, environmental, and proximity challenges, CREATE grouped these projects to remove freight and passenger rail conflicts; significantly reduce train delays; increase speed, capacity, and reliability; and eliminate vehicular congestion. Together, this project will positively impact:
- 90 freight trains.
- 30 Metra SouthWest Service trains.
- Two Amtrak trains.
75th St. CIP Overview
- Multiple flyover structures to significantly reduce rail conflict.
- Fulfill federal environmental impact commitments.
- Implement community mobility improvements.
- Improve freight rail line performance.
Significance of Topping Out
This Forest Hill Flyover project milestone celebrates completing the primary superstructure and locking in geometric accuracy, load paths, and long-term stability. As crews pivot to deck, track, and signal work, the project is a shining example of streamlining bottlenecks and unlocking capacity — one beam, one celebration, and one seamless connection at a time.
Media Contact
Jill Black
Chief Marketing Communications Officer
Jill Black is a strategic, results-driven marketing and communications leader with over 20 years of experience. She has driven two major rebrands and merger and acquisition communications, spanning brand storytelling, digital strategy, thought leadership, and conference engagement to strengthen GFT's reputation and impact.
Jill Black
Chief Marketing Communications Officer
Jill Black is a strategic, results-driven marketing and communications leader with over 20 years of experience. She has driven two major rebrands and merger and acquisition communications, spanning brand storytelling, digital strategy, thought leadership, and conference engagement to strengthen GFT's reputation and impact.
Jill Black
Chief Marketing Communications Officer
Jill Black is a strategic, results-driven marketing and communications leader with over 20 years of experience. She has driven two major rebrands and merger and acquisition communications, spanning brand storytelling, digital strategy, thought leadership, and conference engagement to strengthen GFT's reputation and impact.
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