This line would be built to double track standards, and five different railroads would have control over the company.
This was done so passenger trains to and from the East Coast could access Chicago more easily.
By 1882, the railroad would be controlled by the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad, Chicago and Erie Railroad, Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville Railway, the Grand Trunk Western Railway and the Wabash Railway.
Together, these five railroads kept the belt line open and fully operational. The line was a critical express line to get passengers to Dearborn Station.
Between 1890 and 1893, the railroad would be expanded to several tracks through South Chicago. This was to accommodate the Wabash in particular.
Through the earliest years of the 20th Century, the railroad also had several grade separation projects.
By 1971, the Dearborn Station closed. After this, a suburban service was offered by the Norfolk & Western, which had acquired the Wabash in 1964.
By 1982, the Norfolk & Western merged with the Southern Railroad to form Norfolk Southern, who operated parallel lines. The suburban service was eventually discontinued.
In 1993, Metra reopened the line to passenger service as their SouthWest Subdistrict.
Today, Metra continues to operate the line from Chicago to 75th Street, while Union Pacific owns the rest as their Villa Grove Subdivision.
12/03/21
View an article about this grade separation project.
Located in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, this bridge crosses West 63rd Street at S. Wallace Avenue.
Built in 1904 as the Chicago & Western Indiana and parallel Wabash railroads raised their tracks through the area, the bridge consists of a through plate girder bridge, set onto concrete and steel substructures. The two Wabash tracks consist of two spans, and the five C&WI consist of a single span.
While the bridge was originally built for seven tracks, only two tracks remain in use.
In addition, the bridge consists of a ballasted deck.
This type of bridge is typical for early grade separations in Chicago.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with some deterioration.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.