Rail conditions are integral to maintaining safe operations and maintaining track speeds and on-time performance. These projects fund the refurbishment or replacement of rail and switches on the UPR. Project activities may include but are not limited to, the renewal of switch points at various locations, the replacement of switch machines, AC heaters, the replacement of turnouts, and correcting minor defects with field welding.

Metra’s track renewal crew will rehabilitate dozens of miles of track along the Milwaukee District West (MD-W) Line in 2022. The project will be the most comprehensive investment in track conditions since Metra acquired the MD-W in 1987. Metra forces will Replace ties, clean or replace ballast, and replace switch components to provide smoother, faster, and safer track conditions. Metra partners with the Canadian Pacific Railroad to fund improvements to particular portions of the MD-W as freight train traffic degrade track conditions more rapidly than Metra trains.

Metra’s Union Pacific North (UP-N) Line will undergo significant rehabilitation in 2022. Union Pacific Railroad’s crews will replace ties, clean or replace ballast, and replace switch components on the northern extents of the UP-N Line. This project improves the riding quality of the trains and reduces the incidence of slow orders, which can impact the ability to maintain on-time performance. Metra provides funds to improve the track along the UP-N Line and other lines and yard facilities owned by the Union Pacific Railroad.

These projects provide for the renewal of rail highway grade crossings at various locations on Metra-owned and operated lines and the Union Pacific Lines. The specific crossings to be renewed will be based on the stage of deterioration at each crossing. The work will include, but not be limited to, replacement of cross ties, crossing material, and ballast, as well as the surfacing of the track.

This project, a Public-Private Partnership between Metra and the Union Pacific Railroad, will construct
two new segments of third mainline track on the Union Pacific West Line. One of the segments will be
between the Vale Interlocking at milepost 10.0 in River Forest and the 25th Avenue Interlocking at
milepost 11.8 in Melrose Park. The other segment will be between the Kress Interlocking at milepost
32.1 in West Chicago and the Peck Interlocking at milepost 38.4 in Geneva.

Establish a new 3rd main on the Rock Island Line. The project study limits shall be from MP 0.0 (LaSalle Station) to MP 10.5 (Gresham Jct.). The new 3rd main is anticipated to extend from the new 16th Interlocking at MP 1.0 presently in design to the new CREATE P2 Interlocking at CP 74th. It is also anticpated that a new crossover will be required at Gresham to faciliate train movement into and out of the new 3rd main.

These projects consist of the replacement of cross ties, switch ties and ballast. In order to maintain proper track gauge and surface, it is necessary to replace ties and ballast periodically. This improves the riding quality of the trains and reduces the incidence of slow orders, which adversely affect adherence to train schedules. These projects represent part of an ongoing program to replace ties and ballast throughout the commuter territory.

Track undercutting provides for the removal of all fouled track ballast, which is then cleaned and returned to the track bed. When the ballast is fouled, the load spreading capability is lost. Undercutting is necessary when the ballast section has become so contaminated that normal ballasting and surfacing will no longer hold a proper track surface. The results of undercutting are a smooth, well-aligned track surface, extended tie and ballast life and reduced ongoing maintenance expense.

Track undercutting provides for the removal of all fouled track ballast, which is then cleaned and returned to the track bed. When the ballast is fouled, the load spreading capability is lost. Undercutting is necessary when the ballast section has become so contaminated that normal ballasting and surfacing will no longer hold a proper track surface. The results of undercutting are a smooth, well-aligned track surface, extended tie and ballast life and reduced ongoing maintenance expense.

Rail conditions are integral to maintaining safe operations and maintaining track speeds and on-time performance. These projects fund the refurbishment or replacement of rail and switches on the MED. Project activities may include but are not limited to, the renewal of switch points at various locations, the replacement of switch machines, AC heaters, the replacement of turnouts, and correcting minor defects with field welding.