Central Avenue at the Belt Railway of Chicago (BRC) Railroad Grade Separation Study

The goal of the study is to recommend a transportation solution that will reduce roadway congestion and improve safety in the Garfield Ridge community on the southwest side of the City of Chicago by eliminating delay to nearly 2,500 vehicles per day and alleviating the collision potential between vehicles and trains.

This study’s purpose is to identify and describe the potential positive and adverse impacts of potential alternatives under consideration, and is scheduled to take approximately 18 months to complete.

A grade separation improvement at this location was identified as GS2 in the  Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program. CREATE is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the United States Department of Transportation, the State of Illinois, the City of Chicago, Metra, Amtrak, and the nation’s freight railroads which is funding critically needed improvements to increase the efficiency of the region’s passenger and freight rail infrastructure and enhance the quality of life for Chicago-area residents. The study is being funded under the CREATE program.