Chicago Subdivision: Belmont Rd underpass and idle freights

In the next several weeks a two-year, $53 million grade seperation will begin where the BNSF crosses Belmont Road in Downers Grove, IL. This is one of the most dangerous grade crossings in Illinois where such a separation is long overdue. One thing I was thinking about is about 1/2 to 3/4 mile west of Belmont Road, some eastbound freights waiting to get into Cicero will idle on the center track for a period of time. I'm wondering once the underpass project is completed, would eastbound freights move a little further east and possibly idle, say just west of the Downers Grove interlocking, which is about 3/4 mile east of Belmont Road. East of Belmont Road the area becomes more residential and a park is located south of the BNSF main halfway between Belmont Road and Downers Grove. Just a thought.

Probably not, and for the reason you just mentioned.

That, and I doubt they'll block the platforms at the Belmont Metra Station.

MetraBNSF wrote: I'm wondering once the underpass project is completed, would eastbound freights move a little further east and possibly idle, say just west of the Downers Grove interlocking, which is about 3/4 mile east of Belmont Road. East of Belmont Road the area becomes more residential and a park is located south of the BNSF main halfway between Belmont Road and Downers Grove. Just a thought.

They're planning on building a pedestrian tunnel similar to the ones at Naperville and Lisle so that would eliminate the platform blocking problem, maybe they'll sit just a bit further east, but probably not all the way down by the Downers Grove plant, that would probably get a lot of complaints from the city.