Chicago Construction News staff writer
Metra and its rail and municipal partners are moving ahead with a broad slate of infrastructure projects in 2026, including station improvements, grade crossing replacements, track renewal and system-wide signal upgrades aimed at improving safety and reliability across the commuter rail network.
The agency says work this construction season will include upgrades at 20 stations, replacement of 22 highway-rail crossings and three major tie replacement programs, along with ongoing multi-year capital work across multiple lines.
Metra CEO and Executive Director Jim Derwinski said the agency intends to fully use the construction season and available funding to advance priority projects while continuing to address long-term maintenance needs.
“We plan to take full advantage of the construction season and available funding to address projects across the railroad,” Derwinski said. “Metra is grateful for the significant financial support we have received in recent years to address a backlog of critical capital projects. However, infrastructure maintenance is an ongoing need.”
Metra noted that work is being carried out by a mix of in-house crews, freight railroad partners and private contractors, with some municipalities also leading station-related improvements supported by Metra funding.
The 2026 capital program includes $57.7 million for station and parking upgrades, $37.7 million for track maintenance, $22.3 million for bridge work, $5.2 million for rail crossing replacements and $59.1 million for signal, electrical and communications improvements.
Station work spans multiple lines
Station upgrades are planned at 20 of Metra’s 243 stations, with accessibility, safety and general rehabilitation work forming the core of the program. Another 47 stations remain in design for future work.
Major projects continue along several corridors, including ongoing reconstruction at Chicago State/95th Street Station and improvements to the South Water Street entrance to Millennium Station on the Metra Electric Line. On the Rock Island Line, work continues at 115th Street/Morgan Park Station, while construction is underway on the new Auburn Park infill station at 79th Street and Lowe Avenue.
On the BNSF Railway Line, improvements include rehabilitation of the historic LaGrange Road Station and new platforms at Westmont. Platform replacements nearing completion include stations on the Milwaukee District North, Rock Island, Union Pacific Northwest, and Union Pacific West lines.
Track renewal and tie replacements
Metra and its partners plan to replace at least 51,000 railroad ties in 2026 as part of ongoing track maintenance.
On the Rock Island Line, crews will replace more than 16,000 ties between Mokena and Joliet. On the Milwaukee District North Line, work includes tie replacement and rail renewal between Rondout and Fox Lake. The BNSF Railway will also complete tie replacement work between Hinsdale and West Eola.
Metra also says infrastructure work continues in preparation for a future fourth track on the Metra Electric Line, part of a long-term capacity expansion effort tied to broader regional rail plans.
Crossing and bridge upgrades
Twenty-two grade crossing projects are planned for 2026, including five on Metra Electric branch lines and multiple replacements across the Rock Island, Southwest Service, Milwaukee District North and West lines. Additional work on the BNSF corridor includes crossings in Naperville, Clarendon Hills and Riverside.
Bridge rehabilitation also remains a major focus. A $337 million project continues on the Union Pacific North Line to rebuild 11 aging bridges between Fullerton Avenue and Addison Street in Chicago, many of which are more than 120 years old.
Metra says more than half of its 446 bridges are over a century old, and the agency is developing a long-term plan to replace or rehabilitate 210 structures over the next two decades, with an estimated cost of about $3 billion.
Signal modernization across the system
A range of signal and communications projects are also underway in 2026 to improve reliability and support future service growth.
On the Metra Electric Line, upgrades include signal and interlocking improvements between Millennium Station and Roosevelt Road to support future expansion tied to South Shore Line service, as well as new bi-directional signalling and upgraded grade crossing technology with remote monitoring capabilities.
Other projects include interlocking upgrades on the Rock Island Line, a new control point at 75th Street on the Southwest Service, and signal modernization work on the Milwaukee District West Line, including upgraded crossing protection and SMART gate systems designed to improve safety monitoring.
Metra said the combined program is designed to improve safety, reduce delays and support long-term system growth while maintaining service across its 11-line network.
