The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has completed a study to improve safety and traffic flow for all users, including motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and the railroad, where 95th Street (near Eggleston Avenue) crosses two Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks.

CDOT studied, developed, and evaluated possible solutions, and chose the one that best solves the problem – all with input from community leaders and the general public in the Washington Heights and Roseland communities.

This study explored the opportunity to build an underpass or overpass at the intersection of 95th Street and the UPRR to eliminate the existing at-grade crossing where the railroad and roadway intersect at the same level.

Due to impacts and community concerns, CDOT is deferring a grade separation at this time. To address project area purpose & needs, interim improvements are proposed. This includes:

• Replacing the existing railroad warning signals and gates

• Adding pedestrian gates

• Replacing the grade crossing surface

• Replacing the sidewalks adjacent to the grade crossing

• Replacing the concrete median adjacent to the grade crossing

• Replacing the warning signs and pavement markings to match current standards

• Resurfacing the pavement and replacing curbs

It was critical to identify the values, needs, and priorities of the residents and businesses impacted by this high traffic and hazardous at-grade railroad crossing.

The study provided various opportunities for stakeholders to be involved in the process and share their input.