A project to replace thousands of ties on the UP Northwest Line over a two-month period will require Metra to cancel four midday trains starting Monday, Aug. 4.
“Tie replacement is essential maintenance on the railroad, and this project is no exception,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “Temporarily cancelling a few select midday trains will help prevent congestion on the UP Northwest Line that could create more significant delays throughout the day.”
Union Pacific Railroad, which owns the line, will be replacing ties on all three tracks along an approximately 24-mile-long work zone between Chicago’s Jefferson Park neighborhood and Barrington. The work is expected to result in delays of at least 10 minutes for all trains and up to 30 minutes for midday trains. The project will begin on Monday, Aug. 4, and is scheduled for completion on Saturday, Sept. 20.
To reduce delays that have the potential to severely impact on time performance, Metra is cancelling two inbound and two outbound midday trains for the duration of the project. Inbound Train# 648, the 11:45 a.m. departure from Crystal Lake, and Train 654, the 2:45 p.m. departure from Crystal Lake, will not operate during the construction period. Outbound Train 621, the 9:35 a.m. departure from Chicago, and Train 627, the 12:35 p.m. departure, will also be cancelled.
