Chicago's Metra launches 2016 construction program

Chicago Metra and its railroad partners announced plans to begin infrastructure improvements to its stations, track, bridges, and road crossings to ensure safe and reliable service and maintain a state of good repair systemwide.

Construction work is expected to begin this week and continue through the fall, weather permitting.

“Now that spring is here, we plan take full advantage of the construction season by making improvements where we can with our limited funding,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “Our goal is to be as efficient as possible with the resources we have and limit the impact of construction activity on our customers.”

A portion of the work is being performed by Metra’s in-house crews, who are dispatched to make repairs to stations and carry out other smaller jobs, as well as contracted construction firms for larger-scale projects.

Most work will be performed during off-peak hours and on weekends. Metra will issue construction schedules for its trains during some of these projects.

Construction schedules are issued when workers need to be on or very near the tracks, requiring trains to reduce speed or stop before proceeding through the construction zone.