Chicago, IL

CREATE P3 Forest Hill Flyover Bridge and 71st Street Grade Separation

Client: CSX
Our Role: Construction Management Services

An industrial landscape with railroads intersecting, visible construction vehicles, nearby neighborhoods and a city skyline in the distance.

As part of the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project, the Forest Hill Flyover Bridge and the 71st Street Grade Separation are critical components of the CREATE Program aimed at enhancing rail network efficiency in Chicago. The existing rail configuration, with multiple freight and passenger lines intersecting at grade level, resulted in significant delays and operational inefficiencies, affecting over 100 trains daily. The CSX (B&OCT) tracks intersected the NS and Metra mainlines, creating safety hazards and bottlenecks that needed resolution. The challenge for our team was to the diamond crossing and grade-separate the rail lines while ensuring minimal disruption to urban operations and the efficient movement of both freight and passenger trains.

Our firm’s role in this transformative project includes providing construction management services, engineering, constructability reviews, and critical coordination efforts to ensure the success of these major infrastructure improvements:

Forest Hill Flyover Bridge: The Forest Hill Flyover eliminates the existing diamond crossing by constructing a 5,500-foot-long flyover structure that will elevate the CSX tracks above the NS and Metra mainlines. This project will streamline rail operations, reduce delays, and improve safety across the area.
71st Street Grade Separation: This grade separation will lift the CSX tracks over 71st Street, eliminating traffic congestion caused by at-grade crossings and enhancing safety for both motorists and rail operators.

Our firm is responsible for managing a variety of inspection, management, reporting, and coordination tasks in this dense urban environment. With over 100 daily trains passing through, these projects require precise execution and careful monitoring to avoid service disruptions. Our team also provides support in ensuring the successful implementation of construction phases, managing sequencing, and ensuring the project stays on schedule.

Key Features

Streamlined Rail Operations: The new flyover bridge and grade separation will eliminate delays caused by intersecting rail lines, enhancing operational efficiency for both freight and passenger services.
Urban Integration: The projects are being conducted in a highly populated, urban setting, ensuring minimal disruption to daily activities while enhancing the city’s infrastructure.
Safety and Accessibility: Eliminating at-grade crossings reduces the potential for accidents and ensures safer movement for trains and vehicles.
Construction Management: Our team is providing essential construction management services, including real-time coordination and reporting, to ensure seamless project delivery.

Outcomes

By improving the 75th Street Corridor, the Forest Hill Flyover Bridge and 71st Street Grade Separation projects will enhance the efficiency and safety of the region’s rail network, benefiting both freight and passenger services. The increased capacity and reliability will ultimately support economic growth by facilitating the movement of goods and people while reducing congestion in one of the busiest rail corridors in the country.

Improved Rail Flow: Eliminating conflicting rail movements increases operational efficiency and reduces delays across multiple rail lines.
Enhanced Urban Mobility: The projects will help streamline urban traffic patterns, reducing congestion and increasing safety for both rail and road users.
Efficient Project Management: With careful planning, coordination, and management, our team ensures that these complex projects are completed on time and within budget.