Western Railroad Discussion > New flyover in Chicago

From today's Railway Track & Structures Daily Brief:

http://www.rtands.com/index.php/passenger/commuter-regional/creates-englewood-flyover-opens.html

"On October 23, federal, state and local officials celebrated the opening of the $142-million Englewood Flyover, a major railroad bridge that has eliminated a significant source of train delays on the south side of Chicago and has reduced emissions and noise from idling trains in the neighborhood.

"The flyover bridge replaced a crossing between the Metra Rock Island tracks and a set of Norfolk Southern tracks at 63rd and State Street. With the completion of this project, 78 weekday Rock Island Line trains are now carried over the busy freight tracks used by approximately 60 freight and Amtrak trains, eliminating conflicts between trains that result in service delays. The flyover is a major accomplishment of the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) program."

Don Strack

Every reduced bottleneck helps!

From what I could tell from the release, the Rock Island is flying over the
Pennsy. Is that correct? Did they keep the NYC connector to the La Salle
Street Station?

TIA for any replies.

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA

The Rock,ie Metra,does in fact fly over the NS/PRR. There is no connection between the two lines at the former Englewood crossing. There is however a handthrow switch which allows movement out of the NS Park Manor yard,RARELY used.