CHICAGO— Mayor Brandon Johnson, 18th Ward Alderman Derrick Curtis, the Chicago Department of Transportation, and CREATE Program partners today broke ground on the Columbus Avenue & The Belt Railway Company of Chicago Grade Separation Project, a major infrastructure investment that will improve safety, reduce congestion, and strengthen emergency access in Chicago's Ashburn community.
“This grade separation project is a critical investment in Chicago's South Side and the Ashburn community,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “As the nation's freight rail hub, Chicago is proud to work alongside our CREATE Program partners to deliver this project, which will improve safety, reduce delays, and provide more reliable access for the residents, businesses, and first responders who travel along this corridor.”
Located at Columbus Avenue near Maplewood Avenue, GS11 will replace the existing at-grade rail crossing with a new grade-separated structure.
The crossing is designated as a “911 Critical Crossing,” meaning train activity can significantly delay police, fire, and EMS response.
By eliminating the crossing, the project will provide more reliable emergency access while improving roadway safety for the surrounding community.
Each day, approximately 11,500 vehicles and 32 freight trains pass through this crossing, creating congestion and potential safety conflicts.
Once completed, GS11 will eliminate the potential for train-vehicle conflicts at this location and is expected to reduce delays for motorists.
“This groundbreaking marks a significant investment in the safety, connection, and future of our community,” said18th Ward Alderman Derrick Curtis. “This new railroad crossing will improve access for residents, businesses, and first responders while supporting continued growth and economic opportunity.
We are grateful for our collaboration and commitment to making this long-awaited improvement a reality.”
Supported by a $49.9 million investment through IDOT’s Illinois Competitive Freight Program, GS11 reflects coordinated state, local, andâ¯private sectorâ¯investment.
The projectâ¯demonstratesâ¯how targeted infrastructure investmentsâ¯can improve local quality of lifeâ¯whileâ¯strengtheningâ¯the efficiency of the Chicago region’s railâ¯network,â¯the largest rail hub in North America.â¯
“CDOT is proud to help turn years of planning and partnership into meaningful improvements for the Ashburn community,” saidCDOT Commissioner William Cheaks, Jr.“This project will eliminate conflicts between trains and vehicles, improve emergency access, and make it safer and easier for residents, businesses, and freight traffic to move through this corridor.”
“The Belt Railway Company plays a vital role in moving freight across the nation,” said Jerry Peck, President of the Belt Railway Company of Chicago. “Projects like GS11 keep that freight moving while strengthening the communities we operate in.
CREATE is the model for how this gets done.”
About the CREATE Programâ¯â¯Theâ¯Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Programâ¯is a first-of-its-kindâ¯public-privateâ¯partnership between the U.S. Department of Transportation, the State of Illinois, City of Chicago, Cook County, Metra, Amtrak, and the freight railroadsâ¯represented by the Association of American Railroadsâ¯.
Its mission is to improve the efficiency of the Chicago region’s rail network byâ¯reducingâ¯conflicts, enhancing safety, and strengthening national supply chain reliability.
To date, 36â¯of 70 planned projects have been completed, withâ¯additionalâ¯projectsâ¯in development.â¯
For more information, visitâ¯www.createprogram.org.â¯â¯â¯