Chicago Construction News staff writer
The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded Amtrak up to $659 million in grants for a new Midwest Maintenance Facility and repairs to bridges and viaducts in Chicago, with construction expected to begin in fall 2026.
The grants include up to $572 million for development of the new maintenance facility and up to $87 million for the rehabilitation or replacement of bridges, viaducts and related structures between Cermak and Pershing roads.
The projects address long-standing infrastructure needs while improving rail safety, reliability and conditions for workers, motorists and pedestrians.
“For years, Amtrak’s Midwest and National rail customers and state partners have been desiring improved on-time performance. Investments in maintenance facilities will achieve that outcome,” said Interim Amtrak President Byl Herrmann. “With these grants, Amtrak is able to accelerate those goals by more than a decade while improving conditions to deliver a safe, reliable, and efficient passenger rail service for years to come.”
Canal Edge LLC is developing the project in partnership with Amtrak. The new maintenance facility will be built on an existing railyard owned by Union Pacific Railroad.
Chicago is a critical part of Amtrak’s national network. More than half of Amtrak’s long-distance trains begin or end their trips in the city, while 17 routes rely on maintenance capacity based in Chicago.
Amtrak said its existing maintenance facilities were designed for a different era and no longer provide the space, configuration and modern capabilities required to support its current fleet, evolving service demands and federal safety and operational standards.
The new purpose-built facility is expected to allow railcars to be serviced more efficiently, reducing turnaround times and service disruptions. It is also expected to improve working conditions and safety for Amtrak employees.
Construction of the maintenance facility is expected to take approximately 18 months and support about 3,000 jobs, including union and skilled-labor positions. Once complete, the facility will be owned by Amtrak and provide long-term operational employment opportunities.
The separate $87-million FRA grant will fund work on bridges, viaducts and ancillary structures in the area between Cermak and Pershing roads.
The work is expected to address structural deficiencies and eliminate hazards affecting rail operations, motorists and pedestrians while improving the safety and performance of the rail system.
Jim Connolly, business manager of the LIUNA Chicago Laborers’ District Council, said the investment will benefit both the transportation system and the region’s workforce.
“This is exactly the kind of investment that strengthens our workforce, grows our economy, and ensures Chicago remains the nation’s premier rail hub,” Connolly said. “For the workers who keep our transportation system running every day, these grants are about more than bricks and steel. They’re about improving safety for rail workers, motorists, and pedestrians alike, while supporting hundreds of skilled union jobs for years to come.”
Canal Edge said it will commit substantial private capital to the project and emphasized its potential impact on Chicago’s South Side and the broader rail network.
“Canal Edge is proud to partner with Amtrak and take responsibility for delivering this critical investment in Chicago’s rail infrastructure,” said Justin Ishbia, controlling shareholder of Canal Edge. “As the heart of America’s passenger rail network, Chicago deserves infrastructure that supports its vital role for decades to come.”
Ishbia said the project will create union jobs and strengthen the national passenger rail system.
James M. Sweeney, president-business manager of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, said the projects will also provide opportunities for skilled trades workers and apprentices.
“These grants represent an investment in Chicago’s working men and women as much as they do in our transportation infrastructure,” Sweeney said. “Modernizing Amtrak’s maintenance facilities and improving the Canal Street Yard will create and sustain hundreds of union jobs, provide apprenticeship and workforce development opportunities for the next generation of skilled tradespeople, and advance long-term careers that families can build their futures around.”
Construction on the maintenance facility and the bridge and viaduct improvements is expected to begin in fall 2026.
