CHICAGO — Metra schedules on its BNSF line will face some disruptions this weekend, Oct. 26-28, as BNSF Railway undertakes a major tie-replacement project on an 18-mile stretch of its triple-track main line between Hinsdale and Aurora, Ill.
BNSF is condensing what would normally be a 21-day project into a three-day period, with two track gangs working 10-hour days on each of the three days to replace some 18,000 ties on the route’s center track. This will minimize the impact on Metra commuters, Metra CEO Jim Derwinski said in a press release.
“If this project were to proceed under the normal three-week timeline,” Derwinski said, “our morning rush-hour trains would be delayed throughout by slow orders. By using this accelerated schedule, BNSF is limiting the impact on customers to one weekend.”
To accommodate the work, Metra will cancel four Friday trains — trains scheduled to arrive at Union Station at 9:07 and 11:29 p.m., and to depart Chicago at 9:40 p.m. and 11:41 p.m. Five other trains will either depart later than the normal schedule or have extended running times to allow for track work. On Saturday and Sunday, all trains will be subject to 10-minute delays, with the schedules altered for trains that normally depart Chicago at 10:40 p.m. and 12:40 a.m. Complete details are available here.
The cancelled trains imply 10 hour work nights instead of work days. Will Metra or Pace provide alternative service?