Passenger Trains > South Shore Line - unusual platform layout at Hegewisch & Hammond

What's with the unusual South Shore Line platform layout at stations like Hegewisch and Hammond?

I realize there's a freight gauntlet, but would expect either center or side platforms.

Thanks.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/02/18 17:26 by wzd.

In order to avoid building overhead or underground walkways, the platforms were set up so that passengers only cross one track when a train is loading/unloading and don't have to walk in front of a live train.

The platforms at both locations are on the parking lot side of the track. The westbound (to Chicago) track has a full canopy at each station. The eastbound (from Chicago) track has a partial canopy. This makes sense since the to Chicago side has a lot more people waiting on the platform when the train arrives. While there are a few trains running against the peak flow a person running for an arriving train would not cross the track in use. (The schedule avoids meets at stations.)

The arrangement works. A similar arrangement exists at Clark Rd and Ogden Dunes where there is a single low level platform at each station.