Highliner train NB at 87th St. on mainline

(note rapid transit style physical plant)

115th ST. / KENSINGTON BRANCH STATIONS

BLUE ISLAND BRANCH STATIONS

115th St. / Kensington Branch:

South of 67th St., the 115th St. / Kensington Branch (and further connecting Blue Island Branch) continues heading SSW on the elevated (on fill) Metra ROW along with the mainline freight and Amtrak rails, there are no street crossings as the line is entirely grade separated.

Along this portion of the line (from 75th St. to 111th St.) the stations are all comprised of center platforms between the two local tracks, with stair access to street level below, and provision for fare collection operations either at street or platform level.

There is no platform access to the two
outside (express) tracks between 63rd
St. and 115th St.

115th St. / Kensington Branch Stations

75th St. & South Chicago Av.

79th St. & Greenwood Av.

83rd St. & Ellis Av.

87th St. & Ingleside Av. / Chatham

91st St. & Dauphin Av.

95th St. & Cottage Grove Av. / Chicago State University

103rd St. & Cottage Grove Av.

107th St. & Cottage Grove Av.

111th St. & Cottage Grove Av. / Pullman

115th St. / Kensington Av.

Blue Island Branch:

The Blue Island Branch rails leave the Electric District mainline at about 120th St. and head due west at grade level at approx. 12100 S.; then at about 1300 W. it turns SW, and continues into the terminal at Vermont St. at 13100 S., and about 2300 W.

The entire branch is a single track at grade level, with a passing siding at Halsted St., and additional tracks at the Vermont St. terminal.

There are numerous street crossings, and the line intersects several CTA and Pace bus routes, as well as the Metra - Rock Island suburban train service to Joliet at Vermont St.