Union Pacific plans rail replacement project near Chicago

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

Union Pacific will begin a major rail replacement project September 15 on its West Line, which serves freight and Metra passenger trains in Illinois.

 

From September 15 through October 15, UP crews will replace the rail on nearly 13 miles of track between Kress Road in West Chicago and Elburn. The work will take place on Track Number 1, which regular UP West Line riders would know as the northernmost or “inbound” track. This rail was originally laid in 1980 and has reached the end of its useful life. According to Metra, changing the rail will avoid slow orders in the future and ensure the continuation of reliable service for passengers from Elburn, La Fox and Geneva.

“Our goal with our partners at UP is to minimize the inconvenience to our customers; however, replacing rail that is more than 30 years old is essential to our ability to continue to provide safe and reliable service now and into the future,” said Metra Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Don Orseno.

 

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