Project Management Oversight (PMO) Capital Projects

This project will replace the 16th Street interlocking with a modern solid-state automated electronic system at a junction with tracks owned by Canadian National (CN) near 16th Street in Chicago. The 16th Street interlocking plant consists of an obsolete manual interlocking with two outdated hand lever machines built in 1901 and 1929. There are no manufacturers of spare or replacement equipment for these machines.

The new station in the Auburn Park neighborhood of Chicago will feature a platform-length canopy and heated headhouse with two elevators. The station will include a center boarding platform with a staircase down to street level entrance tunnel, a landscaped plaza with benches, canopy, bicycle parking, and a vendor space Metra will lease. A parking lot will include 79 parking stalls, 5 ADA parking spaces, and a passenger drop-off lane. The new station will be fully ADA accessible.

This project, a Public-Private Partnership between Metra and the Union Pacific Railroad, will constructtwo new segments of third mainline track on the Union Pacific West Line. One of the segments will bebetween the Vale Interlocking at milepost 10.0 in River Forest and the 25th Avenue Interlocking atmilepost 11.8 in Melrose Park. The other segment will be between the Kress Interlocking at milepost32.1 in West Chicago and the Peck Interlocking at milepost 38.4 in Geneva.Improvements are anticipated for all four of the interlockers that bookend the two segments. Additionally,a new interlocker may be constructed at milepost 35.4 between the Kress and Peck interlockers, whichwill increase operational flexibility. The interlocker improvements and additions will be constructed tomeet Positive Train Control requirements.Improvements along both segments will include, but not be limited to, trackwork, earthwork, sub-ballast,structures, signal infrastructure, interlocking upgrades, and all work necessary at highway gradecrossings. Bridge improvements will be needed over both the Des Plaines River and the Fox River toallow for the third mainline track. The project will also include platform relocations and improvements atboth the Maywood and Melrose Park stations, and platform, platform shelter, and parking improvementsat the Geneva station. Lastly, land acquisition may be required at various locations along the twosegments in areas where the right of way is not wide enough to accommodate the third main track withinthe track centers required by the Union Pacific.

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.

Metra is partnering with Pace to create the Harvey Transportation Center on the Metra Electric line. Metra will utilize funds for platform reconstruction and to construct other enhancements that will make the station ADA accessible, improve the commuter environment, and facilitate intermodal transfers between Pace and Metra.

This project provides for the development and implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System at Metra. This project will replace Metra's payroll software that is nearing technical obsolescence as Microsoft is scheduled to end support of the current application. The replacement system will integrate internal and external management of information across the Metra organization, including such areas as finance, accounting, sales, inventory, customer service and human resources.

This project provides for the purchase of fleet vehicles and equipment utilized by Metra’s various departments to help service and maintain the system. This project includes, but is not limited to, vehicles used for supervision of fieldwork, small pickup trucks, construction equipment, and other vehicles. Project funds will replace and retire vehicles and equipment in Metra's current fleet that has surpassed its useful life.

This project involves the replacement of the current GPS, which has exceeded its useful life. Metra will replace the GPS, on-board announcement system and signs on the entire fleet. Metra will also install automatic passenger counters and event recorders. The new system will maintain the necessary current functions, while potentially adding video surveillance, customer information displays and an information system. This project will enable Metra to track trains, count passengers and provide information with one system.

Metra was awarded CMAQ grants for the purchase and installation of bicycle parking facilities at stations across the system. Specific locations are to be determined

This project involves the purchase of various pieces of equipment to be utilized by Metra’s Engineering Department. Equipment purchased under this project will include end loaders, track backhoes, hi-rail equipment for track inspection, track tampers, track stabilizers, tie cranes, and other equipment.