Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Construction of the Chicago Transit Authority's orange line rapid transit to Midway Airport. Chicago Illinois. April 1989.

I took this photograph way back in April of 1989.

Construction of the Chicago Transit Authority's orange line rapid transit to Chicago's Midway Airport is well under way. This photograph was taken at the South Kostner Avenue railroad crossing on the single track branchline owned by the Belt Railway of Chicago at approximately West 52nd Street.

To the right of the tall pile of construction debris, can be seen the remaining and soon to be removed railroad tracks, from the recently abandoned Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad's own Stockyards branch.

The CTA orange line utilizes part of the former IHB Stockyards branchline right of way, which the IHB had closed for good in December of 1988. It was in terrible shape with rotted ties, kinked rails, and an occasional slow speed derailment or two during later years.

This view is facing west at the South Kostner Avenue railroad crossing near Midway Airport, and the nearby Belt Railway of Chicago 55th Street Junction

Thanks.
Eddie K.

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