Switch Project Means Delays, Platform Changes For Metra Riders At Union Station
CHICAGO (STMW) -- Amtrak will begin a 40-day project to revamp switches on the south end of Union Station, and that could mean delays and platform changes for riders on the BNSF, SouthWest Service and Heritage Corridor lines.
The Control Point Harrison project will begin July 6 and continue until Labor Day, and while much of the actual construction work will be done overnight and on weekends, minor delays are expected, a statement from Metra said.
"This project, while it has the potential to create a short-term inconvenience for our passengers, is absolutely essential for safe and reliable service," Metra Director/CEO Don Orseno said in the statement. "We will be working closely with Amtrak and BNSF to minimize the disruption and keep our riders informed."
CP Harrison, located under the new post office building, handles the majority of train traffic at Union Station, and this project "will replace six key switch and turnout points that are used primarily by Metra trains to access Tracks 2 through 14 on the south side of Union Station," the statement said.
Due to limited tracks and switching points available, platform changes for evening and weekend trains are anticipated, and BNSF, SouthWest Service, and Heritage Corridor lines "should also expect minor delays in schedule," Metra said.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2015. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)