Metra seeks bids for next phase of bridge project

An image of one of the bridges along Metra’s Union Pacific North line that requires replacement.

Metra

Metra is seeking bids for the next phase of the multi-year Union Pacific North bridge project, which will replace bridges over 11 streets on the North Side of Chicago, as well as construct the inbound half of the new Ravenswood Station.

“We see this project as a major investment in the future of the UP North Line,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “Our riders, both from the city and the northern suburbs, will reap the benefits for many years to come.”

The second phase consists of new bridges for the inbound tracks over Grace, Irving Park, Berteau, Montrose, Sunnyside, Wilson, Leland, Lawrence, Winnemac, Foster and Balmoral. Construction of the bridges for the outbound tracks over the same 11 streets and related retaining wall work on the west side was completed in the first phase.

Metra explains that the current bridges are more than 100 years old and can no longer be economically repaired and maintained. The new bridges will offer increased safety and will last for more than 100 years. There are 823 bridges in the Metra system.

The work also includes construction of the inbound half of the Ravenswood Station, the busiest station on the UP North Line outside of downtown. The completed inbound half will mirror the outbound half of the station, which was completed in the first phase. The project will add longer, covered platforms and warming shelters, new lighting, space for a ticket office, vendor space, ramps, stairs and new landscaping. The new station will be fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Tuck-pointing the existing masonry abutments and sidewalk restoration are also included in this phase. No retaining wall work is planned along the east side of the right-of-way, except at Ravenswood Station. The project is expected to cost around $45 million.

Work should start this summer and take about 30 months. When this phase is complete, the project will move on to bridges over 11 streets between Addison and Webster.

Contractors with a “My Metra for Business” account can download the bid documents at metrarail.com, by first clicking on the “About Metra” tab and then selecting “Metra and Business.” A pre-bid meeting on the project will be held at 10 a.m. on March 22 at the Ravenswood Station, 4800 N. Ravenswood Ave. Any questions about the work will be due to Metra by March 29. Bids are due by and will be opened at 2 p.m. on April 26.