Project Management Oversight (PMO) Capital Projects

This project consists of the replacement of the coaxial cable and copper cable used to conduct voice and signal data on the Metra Electric District’s Main Line. The fiber optic cable will connect to the recent installation on the South Chicago Branch and Blue Island Branch and extend to the downtown terminal. Existing cable will be replaced with fiber optic cable. New cable will be hung on the catenary structures in a manner similar to the existing cable.

Replace 52 diesel buses with electric buses including any associated equipment (cameras, destination signs, etc.) and services (Buy America audit and inspections).

This project will provide design and construction funds for the replacement of the Morgan Street Interlocking on Metra’s Milwaukee C&M subdivision, the signal system infrastructure between Canal Street and A-2 interlocking. The Morgan St. Interlocker and crossings were originally installed in the early 1960’s. The signal system is also affected by the extreme weather conditions common to the Chicago region. It has become extremely difficult in recent years to get parts to make repairs to keep the system operational.

This project will provide funds for the replacement of the Seeger Interlocking on Metra’s Union PacificNorthwest line (MP 18.5). The layout of the control point only allows 30 mph crossover speeds forcommuter trains. The goal of this upgrade, in addition to updating the equipment, would be to increasethe train speeds to 40 mph, and upgrade the switch layouts to meet current railroad designspecification.The existing signal system is approximately 50 years old and requires replacement due to age andcondition. The signal system has had malfunction issues that have caused delays. The replacementequipment will include a modern, solid state control point and an upgraded switch machine.By renewing the signal infrastructure with the latest technologies, Metra can increase operationalefficiency, enhance safety, reduce delays, and have a life expectancy of additional twenty plus years.FY2020 PAYGO funds will be used to implement this project.

The CTA's Forest Park Blue Line Upgrades Project is the first of four phases of the Forest Park Branch.This project will provide for new trackwork from Halsted to IMD, an accessible station at Racine,advanced utility work, and a new substation and traction power equipment upgrades at Hermitage. Thiswork will enhance service quality via speed, reliability, and comfort, and improve operational efficiency onthe Forest Park Branch of CTA's rapid transit Blue Line service.

CTA will continue investing in the rail car fleet maintenance program. This program is intended to correct critical defects and operational deficiencies discovered during inspections of rail cars. CTA’s scheduled maintenance program consists of planned work to maintain rail car performance. While major overhaul work is performed on a quarterly and mid-life cycle basis, additional focused maintenance work is required at certain intervals of the car’s life, outside of the overhaul cycle. When certain maintenance tasks are needed to repair or replace a component before it reaches its end of useful life and fails with an increased frequency, specific component campaign work is conducted.The major systems that must be maintained on CTA’s rail cars include the following:Propulsion, Safety, HVAC, Braking, Battery/Charging, Signage, Doors, Windows, Traction Power, RCA, Lighting, Automatic Train Control, Communication , Suspension, Car body/Structure. CTA’s Rail Terminal Shops are responsible for the maintenance that may result in replacement of a variety of components such as: traction motors, HVAC components and packages, lights, public address system components, trucks, wheels assemblies, hydraulic units, couplers, drawbars, and numerous other mechanical and electrical components. CTA’s Heavy Maintenance Shop is responsible for the rebuild/repair/manufacture of components for the railcar fleet such as wheel assemblies, truck assemblies, traction motors, air comfort units, electronic devices, control units, and associated devices including solid state and microprocessor-controlled units.

State of Good Repair projects and replacing obsolete equipment on CTA rail signal system

Funding for this project will provide for an ongoing capital maintenance program that consists of tasks necessary to keep buses in service through systematic inspection, detection, and prevention of incipient failure. CTA’s scheduled maintenance program consists of planned preventive maintenance work to maintain bus performance. While major overhaul work is performed on a mid-life cycle basis, additional focused maintenance work is required at certain intervals, outside of the mid-life overhaul, during the life of buses. When certain maintenance tasks are needed to repair or replace, before it reaches its end of useful life and failing with an increased frequency, specific component campaign work is conducted.

Metra investment in innovative, cleaner energy locomotives will be funded in part by this project which will procure locomotives that produce zero mobile emissions. This multi-year, multi-phase project will acquire state-of-the-art technologies and pilot their performance capabilities given Metra’s track profile and the Chicago region’s inclement weather patterns. Metra estimates that replacing one old diesel locomotive with a zero-emission locomotive will reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by more than 30 tons per year, thus significantly reducing the agency’s greenhouse gas footprint and greatly improving air quality in the region. Funds programmed in 2022 will finance engineering and design services for yard facilities to prepare for the new technology.

This project will fund Metra’s portion of a larger station renovation/expansion in Elmhurst. It will leverage CMAQ funds obtained by the Village of Elmhurst to construct a larger station to accommodate the growing ridership.