CPKC Washington Street Bridge (Milwaukee)

In 1872, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway (Milwaukee Road) constructed 45 miles of new railroad, extending from the Chicago & North Western Railway mainline at Western Avenue in Chicago to the Illinois/Wisconsin State Line near Gurnee, Illinois.  The Wisconsin Union Railroad started an additional 37 miles to Milwaukee in 1872, with the Milwaukee Road completing the line in 1873.  The Wisconsin Union became part of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway in 1872; which became part of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway in 1874.  The Milwaukee Road was beginning to acquire and construct a large number of railroad lines, particularly in Wisconsin.  This line served as an arterial mainline for the railroad, connecting terminals at Milwaukee to terminals at Chicago.  Due to heavy traffic, the entire line was double tracked between 1892 and 1893. In the late 19th Century, railroad traffic had become a significant safety hazard for the City of Chicago.  A solution was devised to elevate the railroad tracks throughout the city, placing the railroads upon embankments and constructing subways at each street.  The line between Western Avenue and Irving Park Road would be elevated between 1899 and 1902.  In Milwaukee, the tracks would be elevated in 1916.  Further track elevation would be completed between 1927 and 1929 from Irving Park Road to Elston Avenue. 

By the 20th Century, the Milwaukee Road had become a prominent railroad in the United States, operating a network of railroad lines primarily in the Midwest.  The Milwaukee Road was often in financial trouble, especially after the costly Pacific Extension was completed in 1909. In 1925, the company declared bankruptcy, and reorganized as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in 1928.  This line continued to serve as the principal mainline of the company, extending to the Pacific Ocean.  By 1985, a suitor for the Milwaukee Road was being sought, and the Soo Line Railroad, controlled by Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) purchased the Milwaukee Road in 1986.  CP merged with Kansas City Southern Railway in 2023 to form CPKC. Today, CPKC operates this line as the C&M Subdivision.  In addition, Metra operates the Milwaukee District North commuter service between Western Avenue and Rondout.