Residents protest rail yard plan

Hundreds of Bridgeport and Chinatown residents confronted Amtrak leaders demanding answers about safety, environment, and quality of life impacts of the rail yard project

“You're treating us like we're idiots. We're not idiots. We're intelligent, hardworking people making our home here.”

Amtrak's rail yard proposal

Amtrak and White Sox minority owner Justin Ishbia's company Canal Edge LLC plan to build a rail yard on South Canal Street between West 33rd and 35th streets

Project benefits

Amtrak claims the new site would modernize maintenance, cleaning, and storage practices to reduce delays and create 3,000 construction jobs and 400 permanent positions

Community concerns

Over 6,000 residents live within 500 feet of the proposed site compared to 29 near current Amtrak facility, with concerns about children, seniors, and nearby playgrounds and pool

Environmental review

The project received $600 million and a categorical exclusion from federal government to bypass environmental tests and an environmental impact statement to accelerate construction

Community demands

Residents demand Amtrak commit to zero noise impacts in areas with moderate expected noise and guarantee no elevated health risks from the facility

Elected officials oppose

Cook County Commissioner John Daley and Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) criticized Amtrak for not addressing community concerns and for only informing residents in the 11th hour

Project timeline

Amtrak plans to move into the new rail yard beginning as early as end of 2026, with construction starting soon

Community support

A few residents support the project citing job creation potential for the area

Community demands

Residents say Amtrak should have started by asking the community if they would want the facility next to their homes

Project impact

The rail yard would affect over 6,000 residents in Chinatown and Bridgeport compared to 29 near current Amtrak facility