In addition, the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern utilized the tracks between 61st Street and downtown Chicago.
The route was double tracked between Joliet and Chicago prior to 1874. Because the route was heavily used, the railroad was elevated between Archer Avenue and 76th Street in the late 1890s, and later to 90th Street in the early 1900s.
In 1914, the LS&MS became part of the New York Central. The NYC became part of Penn Central in 1968, and Conrail in 1976.
In 1980, the Rock Island ceased operations after struggling for many years financially. In 1980, Metra purchased the track from the Rock Island.
Initially, the Chicago & North Western operated the passenger service, although the line was operated by Metra after 1982.
After Conrail was split, the Chicago Line became part of the Norfolk Southern in 1999, which no longer uses the route. A parallel route is now used by NS.
Currently, the route is part of the Metra Rock Island District, a popular commuter rail service to Joliet.
11/21/21
View an article regarding the construction of this grade separation project.
Located in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood of Chicago, this bridge crosses W. 43rd Street at I-90/I-94 (Dan Ryan Expressway).
Built in 1897 as the as the railroad corridor was elevated through the area, this bridge consists of a wide 17-track through plate girder structure. Originally built as a 15-track bridge, the bridge has clearly been modified since construction. Before the most recent modification in 2004, the bridge was a staggering 20 tracks wide.
It is unknown when the three span tracks were built. Two tracks were built in 2004 to replace three tracks in 2002. While 17 tracks of bridge remain, only three tracks are in use. The two main tracks use the 2004 section.
Currently, the bridge consists of a a series of through girder bridges on common substructures. From east to west, this consists of:
Section One: Three tracks of skewed three span through plate girder bridges, set on stone and steel substructures. These bridges are individual and the superstructures not connected. This section is abandoned.
Section Two: Eight tracks of single span through plate girder, set onto stone abutments. This section is abandoned
Section Three: Two tracks of single span through plate girder, added in 2004, set onto concrete abutments. This section is in use.
Section Four: Two tracks of three span through plate girder, set onto stone and steel substructures. One track is in use.
Section Five: Two tracks of single span trough plate girder, set onto stone abutments.
While the Rock Island and Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroads jointly built this bridge, Metra currently owns it.
An 1896 article on the grade separation states a builder of American Bridge Company, which did not exist for another three years. It is possible the article author meant American Bridge Works.
In addition, the bridge consists of a ballasted deck. This deck has protected the bridge since it was added in the mid 1950s, although it has partially failed. The majority of tracks have been abandoned on this bridge.
The 1894 ordinance that forced this grade separation was one of the first significant projects ordered by the City of Chicago. This type of bridge is typical for early grade separations in Chicago. A significant article on this grade separation project was written in The Railroad Gazette in November of 1896.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to poor condition, as the bridge has some significant deterioration. Metra has plans to replace this bridge in the near future, as engineering design services began in 2019. Replacement is scheduled for 2021.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.