Chicago’s Metra, and its railroad and municipal partners, are taking on a wide variety of projects during the 2026 construction season, including improvements to 20 stations, replacement of 22 grade crossings, and three major tie replacement projects. 

In addition to new projects, progress continues on a multiyear effort to upgrade track, electrical, and signal systems on the Metra Electric Line to accommodate the expansion of service on the South Shore Line.

The 2026 construction program also includes numerous smaller infrastructure improvements across Metra’s 11 lines, ensuring Metra customers continue to enjoy safe and reliable service.

“We plan to take full advantage of the construction season and available funding to address projects across the railroad,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. Metra is grateful for the significant financial support we have received in recent years to address a backlog of critical capital projects. However, infrastructure maintenance is an ongoing need, and that’s why we will continue to work with our funding and governance partners to identify, plan, and carry out projects that support our system today and in the future.”

An Overview of Metra’s Plan

Work is being performed by Metra’s in-house crews, employees of Metra’s freight partners, and private contractors. Metra is also contributing funds for station repairs and upgrades that municipalities or their contractors will perform.

In Metra’s 2026 capital program, $32.3 million is allocated for station and parking improvements, $37.7 million for track maintenance, $22.3 million for bridge projects, $5.2 million for rail crossing replacements, and $59.1 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 programs or came from outside sources, including municipalities and Metra’s freight partners, said officials.

Metra’s Planned Projects

 Metra’s 2026 construction project timeline includes:

• Metra plans improvements at 20 stations in 2026, with another 47 in design, focusing largely on accessibility and state-of-good-repair upgrades such as ramps, platforms, parking, and signage. Major station projects will continue along the Metra Electric, Rock Island, and BNSF lines, while work nears completion at several locations systemwide.
• Across the network, Metra and its partners will replace more than 51,000 railroad ties, upgrade 22 rail crossings, and advance key bridge projects, including a $337 million effort to rebuild 11 century-old bridges on the UP North Line.
• The agency is also moving forward with signal and communications upgrades to improve reliability and operational flexibility, and to modernize the system, with most construction scheduled during off-peak hours to minimize impacts on riders.