Governor Quinn Announces $64 Million Investment to Build Grade Separation in Bensenville

BENSENVILLE – October 25, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $64 million investment from Illinois Jobs Now! to build a grade separation in Bensenville, a key component of the Chicago Regional Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE). The project will improve regional transportation by separating Irving Park Road from the Canadian Pacific Railroad east of York Road. The project will create more than 830 jobs.

“As North America’s largest inland port, Illinois must make investments to move passengers and freight more quickly through our region,” said Governor Quinn. “A world-class transportation system will not only keep jobs in Chicago, but attract new manufacturers who aim to reach the global marketplace more quickly.”

The grade separation will reduce roadway congestion and improve safety along Irving Park Road (IL-19), a primary arterial road. The improvements include reconstructing the intersection by lowering Irving Park Road and raising the Canadian Pacific Railroad Bridge. Every day 37,000 vehicles pass through the Bensenville crossing, which includes 25 freight trains. Nearly 6,400 vehicles are delayed at this location every day, leading to 1,500 daily motorist hours of delay that would be alleviated through this project.

This grade separation is located at the southwestern edge of O’Hare Airport, and is being coordinated with construction of the adjacent grade separation of the Union Pacific Railroad over Irving Park Road, as part of the O’Hare Modernization Program. Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring and will be completed in the fall of 2013.

“In Bensenville, we have planes, trains and automobiles, and we must make sure all three modes operate as efficiently and safely as possible,” said Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary Gary Hannig. “These improvements will address regional growth and transportation demand, improve traffic safety and promote economic development.”

The CREATE program is a project of national significance, investing billions in critically-needed improvements to increase the efficiency of the region's rail infrastructure and the quality of life of Chicago-area residents.

IDOT is currently leading Illinois’ largest construction program in state history through Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. Projects from the program are creating an estimated 155,000 short-term and permanent jobs.