The long-awaited project to build a 65th Street railroad overpass in Bedford Park received a $43 million shot in the arm last week when federal funding was approved for the proposal.
Gov. JB Pritzker announced Friday that the money was approved for the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) railroad project through the Illinois Department of Transportation.
The project has been on the wish lists of area leaders for years and will create an overpass for travel over the Belt Railway tracks at 65th Street, which will end train delays and improve conditions for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians from Bedford Park, Summit and the Garfield Ridge community. It will also allow faster travel for freight trains heading in and out of the Belt Railway’s Clearing rail yard and improve rail crossing safety.
This project is estimated to give back 644 hours of time to area drivers per day.
“This sort of smart, people-focused infrastructure investment exemplifies the best in what federal/state funding partnerships can do—present a solution that will make the daily commutes of Chicagoans and their neighbors and the daily movement of freight more efficient, making everyone’s day a little easier,” said Pritzker. “I’m grateful to CREATE for identifying and supporting these projects, and to President Biden’s administration for making such substantial investments in our roads and bridges under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Federal dollars in partnership with IDOT have made a major impact on Chicago’s south side in recent years, from this project to the Red Line Expansion grant funding which was allocated this week as well.”
Nearly 10,000 vehicles and 200 buses travel through the 65th Street crossing each day, and an additional 17,500 vehicles travel through the adjacent intersection on Harlem and 63rd Street, many of whom are slowed or stopped due to train crossings. This crossing, designated a “911 Critical Crossing,” will also mean easier access for emergency vehicles needing to enter the area and will improve emergency response times throughout the area.
In addition to the overpass, the project will also include infrastructure improvements at area intersections, elevation of 65th Street’s intersections with Harlem and Old Harlem Avenue, intersection improvements at 63rd and 65th streets, new multi-use path and sidewalk connections, and drainage and lighting improvements in the area.
The $43 million grant will be supplemented by $25 million in federal National Highway Performance Program funds and $13 million in IDOT matching funds, as well as $4.3 million in matching funds from private partner railroads.
Local leaders welcomed the federal funding.
“Bedford Park is one of the most important transportation hubs not only in Illinois, but in the United States,” said U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-6th). “I’m proud to see this federal funding invested in the 6th Congressional District that will improve our local infrastructure, increase railroad crossing safety, reduce traffic congestion in the area, and reinforce the Chicago region’s essential role as a national transportation center.”
“The Chicagoland region is home to one of the busiest freight rail hubs in our country, and the residents and stakeholders of the region know how critical freight rail is to our economy,” said U.S. Rep. Chuy García (D-4th). “This investment will enhance railroad crossing safety, reduce traffic, improve supply chain efficiency, create jobs, and much more. As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am proud to have played a key role in securing these funds for my community.”
“Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid was an invaluable partner in helping secure the funding for the 65th and Harlem Avenue Rail project,” said Garcia, “This investment will help revitalize our community, reduce congestion, and create good-paying jobs.”
“This project will address a major traffic bottleneck — improving public safety, reducing air pollution and boosting the quality of life for the community and local businesses,” said Rashid (D-Bridgeview). “I’m going to keep fighting for the continued investment we need to keep the Chicagoland area a national transportation hub.”
“The funding announced is exciting news and real development towards alleviating train congestion and addressing quality of life and safety issues for residents and commuters in the region,” said state Sen. Mike Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “I’d like to thank Governor JB Pritzker along with Congressional leaders Chuy Garcia and Sean Casten for their efforts. I know this has been a top priority for myself and my colleagues in the General Assembly to make a reality. That being said, we have to recognize the frustration that area residents have faced for decades and while this announcement is very welcome news, we can not rest until we see shovels in the ground and this important project completed. As a member of the Senate Transportation Committee who is laser focused on infrastructure investment in the 11th District, I pledge to continue to work with IDOT to the fullest extent and double down on my efforts to expedite the construction timeline and bring this long-awaited project to fruition.”
“We are very happy that the project appears to be fully funded and should help residents from many communities,” said Bedford Park Mayor Dave Brady.
“I believe we’ve all experienced the frustration of being stuck in traffic because of the train, myself included,” said Summit Mayor Sergio Rodriguez. “The 65th and Harlem Avenue overpass project is a significant undertaking that will revitalize the area by upgrading crucial infrastructure. This project will not only save commuters valuable time but also alleviate traffic congestion.”
“Today’s funding is a major investment in Chicago’s future. This federal funding will help reduce vehicle delay due to gate-down time, improve railroad crossing safety, promote mobility and connectivity, and advance sustainability and resiliency within Chicago’s neighborhoods,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “I’m proud to have worked with Sen. Duckworth to help secure more than $800 million for CREATE Program projects and will continue to ensure that our state has the federal resources to improve and expand its infrastructure.”
“I hear loud and clear how frustrating it is with the gridlock on Harlem Avenue, 65th Street, 63rd Street, Archer, Austin and Narragansett,” said Ald. Marty Quinn (13th). “This is a step in the right direction and I, as well as everyone in the area, am eager for this project to start. Residents in this area have been waiting a long time for this and it can’t happen soon enough.”
No start date was announced for the project, but Quinn said there may be some Chicago Fire Department connection to any timetable.
“I’ve had a couple of conversations in recent weeks with Jeremy LaMarche, the Deputy Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation. Our conversations centered around homes on old Harlem Avenue that have been purchased by the state and a unique request from the Chicago Fire Department that before they’re torn down, they would like to use them for training. I’m eager to help with that as they don’t always have good housing to train and practice on.”
The CREATE program has been a key driver of federal funding to Chicago-area transportation projects. In October, Pritzker and IDOT announced $290 million in grants for the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project, the largest piece of the CREATE program, a partnership between federal, state, and local partners, as well as the freight and passenger railroads, to deliver a total of 70 projects to improve the flow of goods, services and people over roads and rails throughout the region. The funding will rebuild track infrastructure, add tracks, fix or replace 14 aging bridges and viaducts as well as implement mobility improvements on surface streets in target areas.
Through his Rebuild Illinois capital program, Pritzker’s administration has made record investments in infrastructure, committing more than $1 billion in funding for the rail network, with $600 million supporting passenger rail and $450 million supporting the CREATE program since he took office in 2019.
Carol McGowan contributed to this report