Burnham Avenue Grade Separation – Cook County, Illinois

The Burnham Avenue Grade Separation project addresses longstanding safety, congestion, and mobility challenges at the intersection of Burnham Avenue and Brainard Avenue, where Burnham Avenue crosses five at-grade railroad tracks. This location carries approximately 8,200 vehicles per day and experiences up to four hours of daily gate downtime, creating significant delays for motorists and emergency services. Recognized as a priority by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning in 2019, the project advances solutions to improve safety, traffic flow, and community quality of life.

Engineering and Planning Support
DB Sterlin provides professional engineering design and consulting services for Phase I of the project. Our team is responsible for collecting, compiling, and reviewing data, performing drainage investigations, and evaluating conceptual alternatives to improve roadway and rail operations. In addition, we conduct traffic analysis, develop project reports and preliminary plans, coordinate with multiple agencies, and participate in the public involvement program to ensure community input is integrated into the planning process.

Evaluating Conceptual Alternatives
The project team is assessing multiple alternatives to eliminate at-grade rail conflicts, improve roadway operations, and enhance pedestrian and vehicular safety. Evaluation criteria include traffic flow, constructability, drainage, environmental impacts, and overall community benefits. DB Sterlin’s technical expertise ensures that proposed solutions are feasible, cost-effective, and aligned with long-term mobility goals for the Village of Burnham and surrounding communities.

Supporting Safe and Efficient Transportation
Through comprehensive engineering analysis, traffic evaluation, agency coordination, and community engagement, DB Sterlin helps develop a grade separation solution that reduces delays, improves safety, and enhances mobility for motorists, pedestrians, and rail operations. The project transforms a high-risk intersection into a reliable and safe corridor, delivering long-term benefits to the community.