Metra officials joined U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and Elgin Mayor David Kaptain today at the groundbreaking to replace a 136-year-old bridge over the Fox River along the Milwaukee District West Line in Elgin.
“Replacing this bridge will improve the reliability, performance and operational flexibility of the Milwaukee District West Line,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Don Orseno. “Without the support we’ve received from our delegation in Washington to secure the funding, this long-planned project would not be coming to fruition. We are extremely grateful for their help.”
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth’s efforts helped Metra secure a $14 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant for the $34 million project. Metra and Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) will share the remaining cost, with $6 million from CP and $14 million from Metra.
“Investing in our state’s infrastructure is one of the most important things we can do to move Illinois forward,” Senator Duckworth said. “This project, which will use a significant infusion of federal TIGER funds to replace the 136-year-old Fox River bridge, will improve safety and relieve congestion. Commuters deserve reliable transit to get them to and from work, which lowers commute times and gives Illinoisans more time to spend with their families. I will continue working to protect programs like TIGER from proposed cuts and to secure additional federal funding for improvements like this that spur economic development and create good-paying jobs for Illinoisans.”
In September, the Metra Board awarded a $21.6 million contract to Elburn-based Illinois Constructors Corporation (ICC) to build the new bridge. ICC will replace the existing single-track bridge with a double-track bridge built to modern standards. The contract covers the bridge structure. Metra forces will build and install the track and signal elements. Service impacts for Milwaukee District West Line riders during the three-year project will be minimal.
The bridge, located about 35 miles from downtown Chicago, carries 54 Metra trains and up to eight CP freight trains each weekday. The bridge (also known by its bridge number, Z-100) was originally constructed in 1881. Although the structure has been regularly maintained, many components are significantly deteriorated and can no longer be economically repaired.