CN Kirby Avenue Bridge (Champaign)

In 1851, the State of Illinois authorized the construction of a series of railroad lines, extending from Cairo, Illinois; located on the Ohio River, to the Mississippi River at East Dubuque, Illinois and to Chicago, Illinois.  The State awarded the Illinois Central Railroad with the land necessary to construct the new lines.  In 1852, construction in Chicago, and a short segment was completed to Kensington.  The following year, the line would be completed from Kensington to Kankakee, followed by Kankakee to Champaign in 1854.  Between 1855 and 1856, the line would be extended to Centralia, where it met the line to East Dubuque.  From here, the line would continue south,  extending to Cairo.  The line was an immediate success, and provided a critical transportation link for the State of Illinois.  In addition to connecting Chicago with southern Illinois, the line also connected through several moderate sized towns throughout Central Illinois. Soon after opening, the railroad needed to expand.  Prior to 1870, a second track had been constructed from Kensington to Chicago, and a third track was added in 1880.  Between 1881 and 1883, the double track would be extended to Kankakee, followed by the section to Gilman in 1890.  In 1893, the line was widened to eight tracks between Chicago and 67th Street, as well as to six tracks prior to 1908.  Between 1901 and 1902, the railroad double tracked the entire line between Gilman and Centralia.  Four tracks were constructed to Matteson in 1911, followed by to Monee in 1923.  Between 1920 and 1923, a third track was constructed to Otto.  To improve safety, the tracks would be elevated between Hyde Park in Chicago and Matteson between 1893 and 1923. 

By the 20th Century, the IC was a respected railroad, operating an extensive railroad network through the central United States.  This line continued to serve as the principal mainline for the IC.  Portions of the second main track were removed in the later part of the 20th Century.  In 1972, the IC merged with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad (GM&O) to form the Illinois Central Gulf (ICG).  In 1988, the ICG was reorganized as the Illinois Central Railroad (IC).  In 1998, IC was purchased by the Canadian National Railway (CN), the current owner of the line.  Today, CN continues to operate the Chicago Subdivision between Chicago and Champaign, as well as the Champaign Subdivision between Champaign and Centralia.  The line continues to serve as an important mainline for the CN.  In addition, Metra offers a commuter service, the Electric District, between Chicago and Matteson.