Santa Fe Railroad Company Collection
Title
Santa Fe Railroad Company Collection
Subject
Illinois--Chicago
Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Company
Underpasses
Railroad tracks
Roads--Design and Construction
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company
Bridges
Bridges--Design and construction
Underpasses--Design and construction
Description
In 1940, the city of Chicago completed a construction project connecting Western Avenue, Western Boulevard, 31st Street and 31st Boulevard. The project included expanding the existing structure to allow several lanes of traffic to pass underneath while accommodating two main railway lines belonging to the Santa Fe Railroad Company (now known as the Atchison, Topeka, Santa Fe Railway Company).
Photographs in this collection include construction site images from the beginning of the project in May 1940 through project completion photos taken in January 1941.
Photographs in this collection include construction site images from the beginning of the project in May 1940 through project completion photos taken in January 1941.
Collection Items
Construction of Railway Underpass, Looking North West
A street-level photograph shows the completed underpass at South Western Avenue and South Western Boulevard near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "G. L. #19285. Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Looking Northwest
A street level view highlights the art deco design features under the completed subway at South Western Avenue and South Western Boulevard near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "G. L. #19285. Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock…
Construction of Railway Underpass, Looking Northeast
An aerial view shows the completed underpass and roads at the South Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "G. L. #19285. Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Looking North
Cars drive beneath the new underpass for South Western Avenue and South Western Boulevard near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath photo: "G. L. #19285. Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Looking Northeast
An aerial view of the work at the South Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago shows a completed underpass and construction of the streets running underneath.Beneath Photo: "G. L. 19285. Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge &…
Construction of Railway Underpass, Looking Southeast
The underpass at South Western Avenue in Chicago features art deco design elements. Beneath Photo: "G. L. 19285. Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Looking Northeast
An aerial view of the new underpass shows nearly completed construction at the South Western Avenue work site near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "G. L. 19285. Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, South Entrance
The completed entrance to the new underpass at the South Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "G. L. 19285. Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Pouring of Deck
The center section of the new deck is poured at the South Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "G. L. 19285. Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Stripping of Forms
A view of the underpass after workers removed the forms on the south fascia, the long flat service between mouldings, at South Western Avenue near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "G. L. 19285. Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock…
Construction of Railway Underpass, Looking Northwest
Railroad tracks run along the top of the new structure completed at South Western Avenue near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath photo: "G. L. 19285. Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Main Lines
An aerial view shows two Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe lines running over the completed subway at the South Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "G. L. 19285. Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock…
Construction of Railway Underpass, Looking Southeast
Deconstructed forms line the roadway at the nearly completed South Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago.Beneath Photo: "G. L. 19285. Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Looking West Along Track 117
A concrete deck is set and waterproofed along the south tracks at the South Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company. G. L. 19285"
Construction of Railway Underpass, Looking North West
Workers observe their progress at the South Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "Contract #82432. G. L. 19285. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Looking North
Lumber sits in front of the nearly completed underpass at South Western Avenue near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Removal of False Work
The deck under the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe tracks is set in concrete while new steel is placed under Track 117 at the South Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "Contract #82432. G. L. 19285. Great Lakes…
Construction of Railway Underpass, Looking East
An aerial view of the South Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago shows advancing work on the piers and abutments.Beneath Photo: "G. L. 19285. Contract #82432. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Looking West
Steel is set under the existing Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe tracks at the South Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "Contract #82432. G. L. 19285. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Unloading of Steel
An aerial view of the Western Avenue worksite in Chicago shows several finished piers as well as some that are still in progress. Work on the backfilling of the abutment is also visible at the Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street.…
Construction of Railway Underpass, Looking Northwest
Two men survey continuing work on Pier #5 and the West Abutment at the Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "Contract #82432. G. L. 19285. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Pouring of Pier #5
Workers pour cement for another pier at the South Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "Contract #82432. G. L. 19285. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Southwest Wing Wall
Workers begin to place forms on the West Abutment at the South Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "Contract #82432. G. L. 19285. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Pier #4 to East Abutment
Construction continues on the piers at the South Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago.Beneath Photo: "Contract #82432. G. L. 19285. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Construction of Railway Underpass, Forms and Concrete Work
Building materials surround advancing construction work on the piers and abutment at the South Western Avenue construction site near 32nd Street in Chicago. Beneath Photo: "Contract #82432. G. L. 19285. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company."
Collection Tree
- Illinois Photographic Collection
- Santa Fe Railroad Company Collection