Community Updates
Union Pacific Train Line Starting Track Work June 8
Union Pacific Railroad has announced that it will embark on a major tie project on the UP-West Line beginning Wednesday, June 8. Metra riders may experience minor delays during the work, which is expected to last through the end of September.
The project will cover a 40-mile stretch of track from Chicago’s west side to Elburn, which includes the track that runs through Wheaton. Union Pacific forces will replace approximately 90,000 ties and will be working on all three tracks used by the Metra UP-West Line. To complete the work on schedule, UP forces will be working seven days a week with much of the work to take place in the overnight hours to early morning.
Because the work will take place around the clock, residents of communities along the UP-West Line may hear more frequent train horns including during the evening and overnight hours. Federal law requires trains to sound their horns when entering a track work zone even if the work takes place in a community that is regulated as a quiet zone.
Metra will be implementing a construction schedule for non-rush hour trains to accommodate the time needed to travel through the work zones. Rush hour trains may also be impacted by the need to reduce operating speeds through work zones. More information on the schedule can be found at metra.com/constructionnotices.