CHICAGO TRACK ELEVATION

SANTA FE

Ordinances passed by the City of Chicago, requiring the railroads to elevate their trackage. Ordinances are listed chronologically at the Chicago Track Elevation page, which contains a more comprehensive background on track elevation in Chicago.

Ordinances are listed sequentially along the line, along with further commentary.

Entire line is grade separated within City of Chicago.

Clark St.
May 17, 1897
Ordinance for elevation of St. Charles Air Line from Indiana Ave. to Chicago River, for elevation of joint Rock Island and Lake Shore & Michigan Southern line from 16th St. to Archer Ave., and for depression of paralleling Chicago & Western Indiana and Santa Fe underneath the other railroads and Clark St. Ordinance also for raising of South Side Elevated Railroad bridge at 16th St. over St. Charles Air Line. Deadline for completion 2 years after raising of South Side Elevated Railroad bridge.

18th St.
September 8, 1879
Ordinance for 18th St. viaduct over paralleling Illinois Central (Chicago Madison & Northern) and Santa Fe and Chicago & Western Indiana.

22nd St. to Ash Street
May 22, 1899
Ordinance for elevation of paralleling Illinois Central (Chicago Madison & Northern) and Santa Fe from 22nd St. (Cermak Rd.) to Ash Street, and elevation of paralleling Chicago Terminal & Transfer Railroad and Pittsburgh Cincinnati Chicago & St. Louis and Chicago Junction Railway from 34th St. to Western Blvd. (near Pershing Rd.) Deadline for completion December 31, 1902. Ordinance amended June 26, 1899, extending deadline for completion to December 31, 1903. Ordinance amended December 21, 1903, extending deadline for completion to December 31, 1904.

California Ave. to Kedzie Ave.
March 6, 1899
Ordinance for elevation of Santa Fe from California Ave. to Kedzie Ave. Deadline for completion December 31, 1899.

Kedzie Ave. to Cicero Ave.
July 15, 1925
Ordinance for elevation of Santa Fe from Kedzie Ave. to Cicero Ave., and at 38th St. near Corwith Yard. Ordinance also for Robey St. (Damen Ave.) viaduct over paralleling Santa Fe and Illinois Central (Chicago Madison & Northern).

Pulaski Rd.
July 8, 1921
Ordinance for Crawford Ave. (now Pulaski Rd.) viaduct over Santa Fe and Chicago & Alton.

Corwith Yard to 47th St.
November 24, 1930
Ordinance for elevation of Santa Fe through Corwith Yard to 47th St. Deadline for completion December 31, 1931. Ordinance amended March 23, 1932, extending deadline for completion to April 15, 1932.

West of Cicero Ave. are suburban areas, or areas which were annexed to the City of Chicago in later years. Line is grade separated through Harlem Ave.