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Metra Fox River Bridge Replacment Project


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#1 CNJRoss

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Posted 22 February 2017 - 06:55 AM

Metra news release:

 

Metra to host March 2 hearing for Fox River bridge project  
 
 
(February 21, 2017) - Metra will host a public hearing in an open house format on Thursday, March 2 to solicit public comment on the Environmental Assessment of its proposed project to replace and expand the bridge over the Fox River along the Milwaukee West Line in Elgin.

 

The hearing will be held between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at The Centre of Elgin Recreation Facility, Heritage Ballroom, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin 60120. Attendees will have the opportunity to review exhibits, speak with Metra and study team representatives and submit comments. Interested persons can attend anytime during the hearing hours.

 

“This bridge project is extremely important for improving the reliability, performance and flexibility of the Milwaukee West Line,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “The open house format provides an opportunity for local residents and others to learn about the project, view exhibits and ask questions of Metra staff and the consultant team.”

 

The bridge, located about 35 miles from downtown Chicago, carries 54 Metra trains and up to eight Canadian Pacific freight trains each weekday. The bridge (also known by its bridge number, Z-100) was originally constructed in 1881, and although the structure has been regularly maintained, many components are significantly deteriorated and can no longer be economically repaired.

 

Metra plans to replace the single-track bridge with a double-track bridge built to modern design standards. This would remove the delay-causing bottleneck caused by the single track – the only single-track section on the line – improve the line’s reliability and operational flexibility, reduce maintenance costs and help ensure the continued efficient operation of the Chicago region’s rail network.

 

The Environmental Assessment, required of any federally funded project, identifies mitigations and best management practices to address potential temporary impacts and to alleviate permanent impacts. As a result, no permanent impacts to the physical, human and natural environment in the project area are anticipated.

 

The assessment can be viewed here, at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin, or at Metra headquarters, 547 W. Jackson in Chicago.

 

Written and oral comments will be accepted at the hearing. Comments can also be submitted to ProjectZ100NEPA@metrarr.com or mailed to Metra Grant Management and Accounting, 11th Floor, Attn: Milwaukee West Line Fox River Bridge Improvement Project (Metra Bridge Z-100), 547 W. Jackson, Chicago, IL 60661. All comments are due on or before March 16 in order to be included in the public record.

 

Thanks to the efforts of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and then-U.S. Representative, now U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, Metra received a $14 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant for the $34 million project. Metra and CP will share the remaining cost, with $6 million from CP and $14 million from Metra.

 

Construction should start in the third quarter of 2017 and take about three years. There will be minimal impacts on service during construction.

 



#2 CNJRoss

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Posted 22 February 2017 - 10:43 AM

Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL 2/21:
 

Metra slates talks on $34 million Elgin bridge rebuild

 

 

Metra riders on the Milwaukee West Line can learn more about a massive project to reconstruct the bridge carrying trains over the Fox River in Elgin at a public hearing March 2.

 

The $34 million rebuild should begin in late summer and will provide commuters with two tracks over the river, improving travel times and reliability.

 

The current bridge is a single track, which can cause traffic backups that resonate through the entire rail line when bottlenecks occur.

 

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#3 CNJRoss

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Posted 14 September 2017 - 07:43 PM

Progressive Railroading, 9/14/17:

 
Metra OKs $21.6 million contract to replace Fox River bridge

 

091417-Metra-Fox-River-Bridge.jpg

Each weekday, the bridge carries 54 Metra trains and up to eight Canadian Pacific freight trains. Photo – Metra

 

Metra's board yesterday approved a $21.6 million contract to replace a 136-year-old bridge over the Fox River along the Milwaukee District West Line in Elgin, Illinois.

The contract was awarded to Illinois Construction Corp., the lowest bidder. The $34 million project involves replacing the existing single-track bridge with a double-track one built to modern standards, Metra officials said in a press release.

 

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#4 CNJRoss

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Posted 14 September 2017 - 07:45 PM

Metra news release:

 
Metra Board awards contract for Fox River bridge

 

(September 13, 2017) - Metra’s Board of Directors today approved a $21.6 million contract to replace a 136-year-old bridge over the Fox River along the Milwaukee District West Line in Elgin.

 

Illinois Constructors Corporation of Elburn was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The project will replace the existing single-track bridge with a double-track bridge built to modern standards. The contract authorized today will cover the bridge structure, with Metra forces building and installing the project’s track and signal elements.

 

“This bridge project is extremely important for improving the reliability, performance and operational flexibility of the Milwaukee District West Line,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Don Orseno. “We’re happy to move this project forward and thankful for the support we’ve received from our delegation in Washington to secure the funding we needed.”

 

Thanks to the efforts of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and then-U.S. Representative, now U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, Metra received a $14 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant for the $34 million project. Metra and Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) will share the remaining cost, with $6 million from CP and $14 million from Metra.

 

“Investing in our state’s infrastructure is one of the most important things we can do to move Illinois forward, and I’m proud use my posts on the Senate committees with jurisdiction over infrastructure to support jobs and grow our state’s economy,” said Senator Duckworth. “This project, which will use a significant infusion of federal TIGER funds to help bring the 136-year-old Fox River Bridge into the 21st century, will improve passenger safety, save Illinoisans thousands of hours in wasted travel time each year and boost Chicagoland’s economy. I will continue working to protect programs like TIGER from proposed cuts and to secure additional federal funding for improvements that spur local economic development and create good-paying jobs in Illinois.” 

 

Construction is planned to begin in the fourth quarter of 2017 and take about three years. Metra riders will experience minimal impacts on service during the project.

 

The bridge, located about 35 miles from downtown Chicago, carries 54 Metra trains and up to eight Canadian Pacific freight trains each weekday. The bridge (also known by its bridge number, Z-100) was originally constructed in 1881, and although the structure has been regularly maintained, many components are significantly deteriorated and can no longer be economically repaired.

 

 



#5 CNJRoss

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Posted 18 November 2017 - 07:17 AM

Metra news release:

 
Metra breaks ground on new Fox River bridge

 

 
(November 17, 2017) - Metra officials joined U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and Elgin Mayor David Kaptain today at the groundbreaking to replace a 136-year-old bridge over the Fox River along the Milwaukee District West Line in Elgin.

 

“Replacing this bridge will improve the reliability, performance and operational flexibility of the Milwaukee District West Line,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Don Orseno. “Without the support we’ve received from our delegation in Washington to secure the funding, this long-planned project would not be coming to fruition. We are extremely grateful for their help.”

 

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth’s efforts helped Metra secure a $14 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant for the $34 million project. Metra and Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) will share the remaining cost, with $6 million from CP and $14 million from Metra.

 

“Investing in our state’s infrastructure is one of the most important things we can do to move Illinois forward,” Senator Duckworth said. “This project, which will use a significant infusion of federal TIGER funds to replace the 136-year-old Fox River bridge, will improve safety and relieve congestion. Commuters deserve reliable transit to get them to and from work, which lowers commute times and gives Illinoisans more time to spend with their families. I will continue working to protect programs like TIGER from proposed cuts and to secure additional federal funding for improvements like this that spur economic development and create good-paying jobs for Illinoisans.”

 

In September, the Metra Board awarded a $21.6 million contract to Elburn-based Illinois Constructors Corporation (ICC) to build the new bridge. ICC will replace the existing single-track bridge with a double-track bridge built to modern standards. The contract covers the bridge structure. Metra forces will build and install the track and signal elements. Service impacts for Milwaukee District West Line riders during the three-year project will be minimal.

 

The bridge, located about 35 miles from downtown Chicago, carries 54 Metra trains and up to eight CP freight trains each weekday. The bridge (also known by its bridge number, Z-100) was originally constructed in 1881. Although the structure has been regularly maintained, many components are significantly deteriorated and can no longer be economically repaired.

 

 



#6 KevinKorell

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Posted 17 November 2017 - 06:54 PM

<p>The bridge was originally constructed in 1881. Although the structure has been regularly maintained, many components are significantly deteriorated and can no longer be economically repaired. Photo: Metra</p>

Metra officials joined U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and Elgin Mayor David Kaptain at a groundbreaking to replace a 136-year-old bridge over the Fox River along the Milwaukee District West Line in Elgin, Ill.

Sen. Dick Durbin’s and Duckworth’s efforts helped Metra secure a $14 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant for the $34 million project. Metra and Canadian Pacific Railway will share the remaining cost, with $6 million from CP and $14 million from Metra.

In September, the Metra Board awarded a $21.6 million contract to Elburn-based Illinois Constructors Corp. to build the new bridge. The company will replace the existing single-track bridge with a double-track bridge built to modern standards. The contract covers the bridge structure. Metra will build and install the track and signal elements.

The bridge, located about 35 miles from downtown Chicago, carries 54 Metra trains and up to eight CP freight trains each weekday. The bridge was originally constructed in 1881. Although the structure has been regularly maintained, many components are significantly deteriorated and can no longer be economically repaired.

Keywords

bridge repair   federal funding   Illinois   Metra   TIGER   

 

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