CHICAGO, May 10, 2012 - The O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP) earlier this week accomplished a significant achievement with the completion of a railroad relocation.  Union Pacific Rail Road (UPRR) crews on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, completed the tie in points between the recently OMP-constructed railroad realignment and the existing UPRR tracks.  Once these connections were completed, UPRR trains began traveling on the new alignment constructed along the southwestern perimeter of O'Hare International Airport. 

In making this transition, UPRR will abandon the track alignment that crosses through the construction areas for two new runways, Runway 10C/28C and Runway 10R/28L.  During the next few weeks, OMP contractors will begin removal of the abandoned railroad section and will proceed with critical construction elements associated with the two new runways.

Planning for the railroad realignment began in 2004 and construction was initiated in 2009 after the City had acquired the necessary properties and began demolition work.  The City issued four different construction contracts that included the erection of four new bridges and installation of approximately 2.5 miles of double track railroad.  Total cost for the railroad realignment was approximately $93 million.  The associated design and construction work generated more than 400 jobs. 

Many organizations contributed to this success including the UPRR, the Canadian Pacific Railroad, Metra, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Village of Bensenville, the Village of Franklin Park, the Illinois Commerce Commission, abutting property owners, contractors and local utilities. 

To learn more about the O'Hare Modernization Program, click here. 

Union Pacific Rail Road relocation, part of the O'Hare Modernization Program, in May 2012.