| Work Detail |
Metra, the rail commuter transport operator in Chicago area, together with its rail companies and municipal partners, announced infrastructure construction programme for 2025 which includes improvements to 52 stations and replacement of 43 grade crossings. In addition to major projects to replace aging bridges on the UP North Line, track, electrical and signal upgrades on the Metra Electric and major tie replacement projects on three lines, the 2025 infrastructure construction programme also includes numerous smaller improvements distributed across Metra’s 11 lines. Together, these projects will ensure Metra customers continue to enjoy safe and reliable service. Construction work is already underway and will continue through the fall, weather permitting. In Metra’s 2025 capital programme, USD 34.9 million is allocated for station and parking improvements, USD 48.1 million for track maintenance, USD 46.2 million for bridge projects, USA 5.9 million for rail crossing replacements and USD 39.2 million for signal, electrical and communications maintenance and upgrades. Funding for some of the projects included in this release was allocated in prior years’ capital programmes or came from outside sources, including municipalities and Metra’s freight rail partners. Under the construction programme, Metra will carry out improvements at 52 out of 243 stations, and along the Metra Electric Line, work will continue to rebuild stations and improve accessibility with major projects already underway at 87th and 95th streets. Metra and its partners plan to replace approximately 117,000 rail ties this year on the Rock Island Line, between Mokena and Joliet, between Canal Street in Chicago and Rondout on the Milwaukee District North Line, and on Metra Electric Line which will also be prepared for the construction of its fourth track. UP plans to replace 63,764 ties between Erie Street in Chicago and Barrington on the UP Northwest Line. Improvements will be carried out to 43 Metra level crossings systemwide in 2025 while UP will replace 12 crossings and on BNSF Line some road crossings will be also replaced. The reconstruction of old bridges between Fullerton Avenue and Addison Street in Chicago on the UP North Line continues under USD 337 million project to replace 6.5 km of track structure and on 3 km of retaining walls while on the Rock Island Line, Metra will continue work on the replacement of the bridge at Morgan Street in Chicago. |
