Metra Adds 12 NW Line Trains In Response To Kennedy Roadwork

A major construction project planned for the Kennedy Expressway is prompting Metra officials to add 12 trains to its Union Pacific Northwest weekday service schedule staring in April.

The new schedule will take effect on April 3. A massive construction project on the Kennedy Expressway, which will kick off this spring, is expected to snarl traffic over three construction seasons.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Thursday that the project will get started on Monday, May 20, and will include rehabilitation of the Kennedy Expressway — Interstate 90/94 — from the Edens Expressway (Interstate 94) junction to Ohio Street.

Metra officials said the addition of trains is in response to the Kennedy project and is also meant to address changing in ridership trends. Union Pacific Northwest line riders can review the new schedule here as departure and arrival times will be different on many trains starting on April 3.

“Metra has been monitoring ridership as well as customer feedback, and these schedule changes respond to ridership trends and increase capacity and convenience by expanding peak period as well as off-peak service,” said Jim Derwinski, the CEO and executive director for Metra. “And with a major multiyear rehab project scheduled to start on the Kennedy Expressway, this new schedule allows Metra to provide more commuters with a viable and much less stressful alternative to driving.”

The last major revisions to the Northwest line schedule occurred nearly a year ago as pandemic restrictions lifted and more people returned to their daily commute. The new schedule will provide service at least every 30 minutes during the morning and evening rush hours as well as hourly service at most stations during off peak hours.

The 12 additional weekday trips will increase the line’s total to 78 trips compared to 66 today and 65 before the pandemic, according to Metra officials.

Outbound service during the early evening rush will be expanded with three new trains that will be departing Chicago between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., including a 3:22 p.m. departure to McHenry, which riders have requested.

Arlington Heights riders will also have more express service in the morning and the evening rush hours with a new 7:25 a.m. inbound train and a 5:07 p.m. outbound train. The new schedule adds a reverse commute option for students at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, with a new 6:35 a.m. departure from Chicago.

The $150 million Kennedy Expressway project will include upgrades to 36 bridge structures and the Reversible Lane Access Control (REVLAC) system, replacing overhead sign-structures, installing new signage and modernized LED lights, pavement patching and structural painting, according to a news release from IDOT.

Additionally, Hubbard’s Cave, from Grand Avenue to Wayman Street, will be painted and new LED lighting installed.

The work will take place over three consecutive construction seasons, broken down into the following three stages:

Spring 2023 to Fall 2023: Two Inbound Kennedy Lanes Closed

To help minimize the impact to traffic the reversible express lanes will remain open in the inbound direction, while two mainline inbound lanes will be closed at a time. Motorists should expect lane shifts and overnight lane closure, along with various ramp closures.

Later this summer, painting and the installation of new LED lighting will begin on inbound Hubbard’s Cave, between Ohio and Lake streets.

Construction is anticipated to be completed later this fall, with all lanes and ramps reopening and the express lanes resuming normal operations.

Spring 2024 to Fall 2024: Reversible Express Lanes Closed

The reversible express lanes will be closed to accommodate rehabilitation of the REVLAC system and bridge structures, along with pavement patching. In addition, mainline lane closures will be needed to accommodatepainting and the installation of new LED lighting in both directions of Hubbard’s Cave, between Ohio and Lake streets. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2024 and be completed in fall 2024.

Spring 2025 to Fall 2025: 2 Outbound Kennedy Lanes Closed

The reversible express lanes will remain open in the outbound direction, while two mainline outbound lanes will be closed at a time.

Lane shifts and overnight lane closure, along with various ramp closures will be needed to complete the work. Additionally, new LED lighting installation and painting will be completed on outbound Hubbard’s Cave, between Ohio and Lake streets.

Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2025 and be completed in late fall 2025.

IDOT says motorists should expect significant delays and allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

Public transportation and traveling during non-peak hours are recommended if possible, IDOT officials said.

The Kennedy Expressway officially opened in November 1960, with the last major rehabilitation completed in 1994. The upcoming project will improve safety, traffic flow and reliability for the more than 275,000 motorists who use the expressway each day.