Metra Rail Tie Replacement Continues This Week

Metra will be replacing rail ties throughout Hinsdale starting this Thursday.

The work will occur continue thereafter during the overnight hours between Mondays and Thursdays. It will begin each evening at 8 p.m. and should wrap up around 3 a.m., according to a community news release.

"Crossings will remain open, but there may be associated traffic and train delays," officials said. "Residents may also hear extra train horns due to the presence of safety flaggers on the track."

The approximately $1.5 million project is part of Metra’s 2016 construction program, which includes approximately $200 million in infrastructure improvements to 27 stations, 21 bridges and 24 road crossings, as well as the replacement of 120,000 rail ties to ensure safe and reliable service and maintain a state of good repair system-wide.

The first Hinsdale-area crossing to be revamped will be that of Garfield Avenue. Work will then proceed southwest along the line toward Downers Grove. Garfield Avenue, Washington Street, Lincoln Street, Monroe Street and Stough Street will all be impacted.

“This project will improve reliability and has been planned so that it will have minimal impact on Metra service,” Metra Executive Director Don Orseno said. “This is the type of maintenance that must be done on a continual basis so that we can maintain the track speeds and service levels our customers rely upon.”

The project includes replacing more than 10,000 ties along a nearly 23-mile stretch of track from Chicago to Lisle. The schedule adds five to 10 minutes to the schedules of some rush hour and evening trains.