We do have train lines passing highways, including stations near them, but not designed like this, never at the same level without barriers. It's always dozens of meters apart and with more elevation, sometimes on train bridges.

Why would there need to be a sound barrier between two things that are both noisy? The only unique thing here is the passenger train running right next to the freeway. But what's the problem? And don't tell me the problem is "noise." Trains & cars are both noisy. If you want a sound barrier, put on noise-canceling headphones.

Sounds like you were acquainted with a lot of kind helpful people in the usa. My experience in the USA riding a bike & bus is that people made fun of me & relegated me to a lower social class. But nobody has ever offered a ride.

Public transpiration in the US is woefully inadequate, so you won't see me defending it's current state too much. But there is a logic to a line following a highway; clearly this thoroughfare has the demand of people to get from point A to point B; that's why there's a highway there.

I've been to Chicago exactly once in my life, for just about exactly 24 hours, ten years ago. And while I did ride the CTA, it wasn't the Red Line. Why was I instantly able to recognize this as Chicago? Rosemont Station on the Blue Line was my hotel stop, and that's where I thought this was until I googled Garfield Station.

Maybe OP was complaining about the noise the trains make from the perspective of the cars? /s

Some random metropolitan city in America

This was in San Diego. My childhood home was like your experience. Not sure where you were, but some places have a pretty stuck up culture. There are places that aren't so toxic

It's because there's no-one bibbing their horns isn't it?

Okay... But Chicago's subway is famously above ground for a large portion of it. It's colloquially called "The L" or "The El" which is short for the elevated track. And it's fine you didn't know this, but also assuming makes an ass of u and me. I would encourage you to foster an inquisitive and curious mind, not one that assumes (of which I am also very guilty, though working on through meditation and mindfulness.)

This should make it feel more alien:

That station is in the middle of a 4 lane express way in both directions 90e and a 2 lane each way highway 90, which itself is wrapped on the outide with a 2 lane each way local arterial,

For as much as Amsterdam is lauded by infrastructure lovers as a bike and pedestrian friendly, public transport dense city,

We also have one of those. Amsterdam Zuid. Right by the highway though it's fewer lanes.

Me when I play City Skylines

Yes, and no. If we rely on only experts commenting, there will be little conversation even happening which would be worse as nobody learns or thinks about things closer. That's why there's no such thing as a stupid question - something can be learnt from every idea, even if it's inward and you learn more about the way YOU see the world.

Meanwhile Germany near Stuttgart Airport to Ulm:

I'd say it's ease of access and kind of makes sense to put it near the streets. Why destroy the environment more in unique places rather than within the street area which already has seen impacts of
it through road traffic.

Though this railway is not 100% of the time near the highway.

*Latest Fad

It's time for infastructure week!

(who am I kidding)

why the fuck should I even care about it.

Because US culture has a world wide influence, for better or for worse. Lately it is mostly for worse.

Tell me about it. Sweden is completely under American control. If you ever played civilization, it's fair to say that America has won a culture victory over Sweden.

But I know it's only a matter of time before Trump stabs Sweden in the back. Sweden is just a resource to him. Now American billionaires started to buy large areas of Swedish forest in the north. No good will come from that, whatever their plans are.