Multiple Metra lines impacted by signal issues during morning commute

CHICAGO (CBS) — Multiple Metra lines have been impacted by signal issues during Monday morning's commute. 

Metra reported delays on the Milwaukee District West, Milwaukee District North, Heritage Corridor, North Central Service, and Union Pacific Northwest lines, due to positive train control dispatching issues on tracks owned by Canadian National Railway. 

Positive train control systems are designed to automatically stop trains if engineers fail to obey a signal or exceed established speed limits, in order to avoid train collisions and derailments.

The Federal Railroad Administration requires positive train control on all passenger and freight trains in the United States. 

Canadian National released the following statement: 

"CN is aware of an IT issue impacting its train dispatching system in the US. The Company is working to fix the system and get trains moving again quickly and safely. We apologize for the impact and inconvenience this is having on commuters and members of the public."

Some Metra trains did not operate Monday morning, while others were delayed up to 20 minutes. CN and Metra both said the problem was resolved by around 9:45 a.m., and normal operations were resuming.

Three outbound trains on the UP-Northwest line were canceled Monday afternoon – the 3:45 p.m., 4:22 p.m., and 5:22 p.m. departures from Ogilvie Transportation Center. All other trains on the affected lines were set to run as normal Monday afternoon and evening.

Commuters are advised to check train schedules before heading out.