Amtrak Chicago Yard

Amtrak officials turned to the design-build team of Kiewit Western-HNTB to rehabilitate the Union Station Terminal in Chicago. HNTB provided the design services for track, facilities and utilities, resulting in a scope of work that included 7 miles of yard and main track renewal, interlocking construction, rehabilitation of five major railroad facilities, trackside utilities, security, power and bridge work. HNTB not only completed all original design in six weeks, the firm’s operations experience allowed it to proactively design to support ongoing operations. Because of the value the team brought to the project, Amtrak increased the scope and contract budget and extended the schedule from 12 to 18 months.

The new construction aligns the yard with prescribed operations and maintenance rules, yields higher safety margins for workers and will help Amtrak continue to play a key role in providing viable passenger rail service to the Midwest.

• Original design completed in six weeks
• Operations continue under significant construction
• Daunting scope of work completed in 18 months