CREATE P2 SWS / RID Flyover Connection – Cook County, Illinois

The CREATE P2 SWS / RID Flyover Connection is a transformative rail infrastructure project designed to improve the efficiency of the Metra system in Chicago’s 75th Street corridor. The project introduces a new double-track flyover connecting the Metra Southwest Service (SWS) line to the Rock Island District (RID) line. The flyover also intersects existing Norfolk Southern and Belt Railway Company freight tracks, eliminating rail-to-rail conflicts and enhancing operational capacity for both commuter and freight rail systems.

Civil, Structural, and Survey Expertise
DB Sterlin provided comprehensive civil engineering, structural engineering, and professional land surveying services for the preparation of final engineering and construction documents. Civil engineering services included existing utility base mapping, civil design support for ADA compliance, and Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) planning. DB Sterlin also coordinated with the City of Chicago Office of Underground Coordination (OUC) and conducted Deep Excavation reviews to ensure compliance with local requirements and constructability standards.

Structural engineering support included CADD production and quality control, providing accurate and constructable bridge designs. Our surveying team performed a comprehensive topographic survey, established control points and benchmarks, and integrated lidar data with traditional survey methods to capture improvements not visible from aerial imagery. This approach provided a complete, precise dataset for design and construction.

Building a High-Capacity Rail Connection
The flyover enables seamless connection between the SWS and RID lines while maintaining uninterrupted freight operations. By separating rail movements and eliminating conflicts, the project reduces congestion, increases capacity, and improves reliability across the regional rail network. DB Sterlin’s combined expertise in civil and structural engineering, survey management, and QA/QC ensured that the design and construction documents supported a safe, efficient, and constructable solution.