In the News: CREATE-ing Impact as Bridge Designer and Construction Manager

GFT is proud to be involved in two critical projects within the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program, providing innovative solutions that help enhance regional transportation and rail operations.

As part of the EW2 – CREATE 80th Street Junction Replacements (75th Street Corridor Improvement Project), we are providing both bridge design and corridor management services for Norfolk Southern (NS). The EW2 project focuses on untangling two major rail junctions where five major railroads — Belt Railway Company of Chicago (BRC), CSX Transportation (CSX), Metra Commuter Rail (Metra), NS, and Union Pacific (UP) — intersect. This complex initiative requires replacing more than 20 bridges, with GFT playing a pivotal role in managing the design and construction of these critical assets. We are serving in a prime role for Bridge Package 4 and a key subcontractor for Bridge Package 2.

In parallel, we are providing construction management services for CSX on the CREATE Public Private Partnership (P3) project, which intersects perpendicularly with EW2. One notable project feature is the Forest Hill Flyover Bridge, which will elevate CSX tracks above the EW2 corridor. Currently nearing completion, this bridge is crucial to improving rail capacity and efficiency.

These two projects reinforce our leadership in complex infrastructure development, supporting the modernization and expansion of the nation’s rail system.