45th Street Grade Separation

A New Grade Separation for 45th Street

For years, the intersection of 45th Street, Calumet Avenue, and the Canadian National Railway tracks created a significant traffic bottleneck in Munster, Indiana. With more than 41,000 commuters traveling through the area each day, frequent train crossings contributed to congestion and long vehicle queues.

Rather than carrying the roadway over the railroad, the project team selected an underpass configuration. This approach reduced the amount of roadway needed to return to existing elevations and allowed surrounding development and local streets to remain accessible.

The project included the reconstruction of 45th Street and its intersection with Calumet Avenue, construction of the underpass, and improvements to pedestrian and bicycle connectivity through the area.

T-Wall® Solution for Grade Separation

The 45th Street Grade Separation required retaining walls that could accommodate the loads associated with both the Canadian National Railway crossing and the new pedestrian bridge, while working within the available space around the roadway underpass. T-Wall® provides the strength and durability needed for these demanding applications, while its construction allows the system to be installed within a narrow footprint.

Geoquest supplied nearly 20,000 square feet of T-Wall®, totaling 19,778 square feet across four walls. The walls help support the Canadian National Railway crossing over 45th Street as well as the new steel pedestrian bridge.

The T-Wall® structures feature a painted ashlar stone finish, providing a finished appearance that complements the surrounding roadway improvements.

Supporting Pedestrian Connectivity

The project also created a new connection for pedestrians and cyclists traveling through the area. A new path extends from the existing Pennsy Greenway along the west side of Clayhole Lake before crossing 45th Street on the new pedestrian bridge, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross the roadway.

As INDOT’s first T-Wall® project, the 45th Street Grade Separation demonstrates how precast modular retaining walls can be incorporated into complex transportation projects where roadways, rail infrastructure, and pedestrian connections intersect.