Overview
Metra is replacing the bridge that carries the Milwaukee District North Line over Milwaukee Avenue near Kilbourne Avenue with a new bridge with new abutments. Grayland Station, just south of the bridge, is being rebuilt with longer platforms, new public address equipment, visual information signs, shelters with on-demand heat on each side, new lighting and new stairs and ramps, making it fully ADA-compliant.
Benefits
The new bridge will improve operations and reliability by reducing delays associated with slow zones, track closures or trains canceled for maintenance and repair work on the existing bridge. Replacing the aging bridge is critical because it provides a vital link in the regional and national rail network. If it were to be taken out of service, there would be no viable alternate route. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the bridge was used by 61 Metra trains, 17 Amtrak trains and several Canadian Pacific and Wisconsin Southern freight trains each weekday.
The improvements to the Grayland Station include longer platforms, new public address equipment, visual information signs, shelters with on-demand heat on each side, new lighting and new stairs and ramps, making it fully ADA-compliant. A temporary Grayland Station, south of the current station, is being used to continue service to the area during the project.
Progress
As of December 2024, the project is 90% complete. The new bridge and precast retaining walls are complete and the ramps, stairs, and foundations for the new inbound station are complete. Work is also ongoing at the inbound warming house and outbound station ramp, stairs, and foundations. The temporary retaining wall along Kilbourn Avenue has also been removed.
The railroad tracks have been shifted to their final location on the new bridge and removal of the temporary bridge is complete. The street, bike lanes, and sidewalk on Milwaukee Avenue have been restored and the road has been reopened. Additional work yet to be performed includes completing construction of the inbound warming house, completing construction of the new outbound ramp, stairs, and warming house, and construction of the new platforms.
Funding
The project is being funded with $15 million from the Federal Transit Administration, $17.8 million from the Federal Railroad Administration, $2.3 million from Canadian Pacific, and $2.9 million in other Metra funding.
Timeline
Construction, which is being done by IHC Construction Companies of Elgin, began in 2021. Work on the Grayland Station will continue to Spring 2025.
