The Union Pacific West (UP-W) Line is a commuter rail line serving Chicago’s CBD and western suburbs. The Union Pacific West Line (UP-W) extends nearly 44 miles west from Chicago to Elburn. This project includes improvements along this rail line.
The UP-W Line serves 62 communities in parts of Kane, DuPage and western Cook counties. An extension from Geneva to Elburn opened for service in January 2006. To provide faster and more frequent service as well as to improve reliability for passenger and freight users, this proposal includes significant infrastructure and service level upgrades. Slower travel times along the existing UP-W Line cause many residents to drive to the BNSF Line for faster express service. A culmination of the proposed improvements would address this issue and provide the additional benefit of easing congestion along the BNSF Line.
The current proposal includes improving signal systems and upgrading existing track, including new crossovers. A third track will be added to an existing double-track portion of the line east of Elmhurst. As part of the UP-W improvements, it also proposed to move the current A-2 crossing at Western Avenue to a new location one mile east. This rail crossing is the busiest in Northeastern Illinois, where the UP-W Line crosses the Milwaukee District West (MD-W), Milwaukee District North (MD-N) and North Central Service (NCS) lines in Chicago. The proposal includes relocating the existing crossing of Union Pacific (West Line and all yard moves) and Milwaukee District (North and West Lines, NCS, and all yard moves) from its present location at Western Avenue to the east near between Ogden and Ashland, away from entrances to the two coach yards. Improved operating efficiencies will enable both revenue and deadhead trains to move through the new crossing point at increased speeds and reduced operating costs. An additional proposal includes consolidation of the M-19A/California Avenue Yard.
Project information
Cost: Project capital cost is estimated at $328 million (in 2009$). $140 million, which is not included in the project capital cost, will be provided via a Public-Private Partnership with the Union Pacific Railroad.
Connectivity: The project is expected to improve and expand service on an existing facility, and would improve connectivity but not create new connections. The A-2 crossing improvements would speed service on several Metra lines, improving connectivity regionally.
Safety and security: The proposal enhances security by providing an additional means of travel for a congested corridor (parallel to I-55) in the event of a long duration major incident.
Bicycle and pedestrian accommodation: The stations on the line are expected to be equipped with additional bicycle parking facilities and integrated with communities’ existing bicycle and pedestrian trial systems.
Consistency with subregional plans: This project is supported within Kane County’s 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan.
Project status
The project is currently progressing through the federal New Starts process. More information is on Metra’s website at: http://metraconnects.metrarail.com/upw.php. The project has a year 2017 completion time frame.
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