Forest Hill rail diamond crossing removal reshapes Chicago flow

CSX says the Forest Hill rail diamond crossing removal in Chicago will help reduce congestion in one of the nation’s busiest freight rail corridors.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The historic grade crossing grew out of agreements between railroads dating to 1891 and was later formalized in 1914. Over time, trains approaching the Forest Hill diamond often had to slow or stop before entering the intersection, leading to recurring delays across the Chicago rail network.

The work was completed under the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program’s 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project, a CREATE effort that has also been covered by Railway Supply. Working with project partners, CSX removed the diamond and eliminated the more than 100-year-old grade crossing. The diamond project was completed in mid-November 2025.

Forest Hill rail diamond crossing removal: what changed

With the reconfiguration finished, trains can now move through the area without stopping. CSX also said the updated layout reduces long-term track and signal work and supports smoother intercarrier operations, as outlined in a CSX company update.

Benefits for freight traffic and nearby neighborhoods

Beyond rail traffic flow, the company said the changes should reduce noise in adjacent neighborhoods. CSX has also published a video documenting the work as part of its project overview.

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