Metra Plans Work On Crossings In Mokena This Weekend

MOKENA, IL – Several Metra workers will be in Mokena this weekend to perform work on its signal system between La Porte and Schoolhouse roads. Residents will see a significant increase in Metra personnel at the crossings at La Porte Road, Wolf Road, Mokena Street, Schoolhouse Road and 191st Street around the clock from Friday, Feb. 8 through Sunday, Feb. 10, according to a news release.

The work is necessary to upgrade the signal train control system for the new positive train control safety system, a federally mandated safety system that will automatically stop a train if the engineer fails to obey a signal or exceeds the speed limit.

From Metra:

The system integrates GPS, trackside sensors and communications units, on board computers and Metra’s centralized train dispatching system. Together, these components track trains and monitor the crew’s compliance with speed restrictions and signals. Although it can’t prevent all accidents, PTC increases safety by preventing train-to-train collisions, unauthorized entry into work zones and derailments due to speeding or moving through misaligned track switches.

The work set to take place this weekend has been in Metra's plans and is not related to the well-publicized trouble at the 191st Street crossing.

Photo via Patch archive