Illinois grade separation in Lynwood breaks ground

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn joined local and state officials August 19 to break ground on a $29.6-million grade separation project in Lynwood, Ill., which will improve traffic flow and safety at the U.S. Route 30 and Canadian National crossing.

 

“Everybody wins when workers and goods can move quickly and easily between different parts of our state,” Gov. Quinn said. “Soon, motorists on the Lincoln Highway won’t have to wait for passing trains at this heavily traveled junction of road and railroad. This grade-separation project will make it easier and safer to travel in Lynwood and it will create jobs for the region and state.”

CN is paying $23.2 million of the project cost, with the state of Illinois providing an investment of $6.4 million. The main construction contract, for a bridge to carry U.S. Route 30 (Lincoln Highway) over the Canadian National/Wisconsin Central Railroad tracks, was awarded in June. James McHugh Construction Co. of Chicago was the lowest of six bidders for the job with a quote of $17,991,194. Other project costs include engineering, land acquisition and utility adjustments.

The average daily traffic volume along U.S. 30 at the CN crossing is 29,400 vehicles per day, with an average of 42 trains per day. Based on an Environmental Impact Statement, this crossing experiences a total vehicle delay of nearly 50 hours per day. The project will eliminate those delays and also reduce the potential for train, vehicle and bicycle accidents by eliminating the at-grade crossing. The work will also improve emergency vehicle response times in the area.

 

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