By Bob Gallegos

Metra has announced a comprehensive list of construction projects planned for 2024. Major projects include replacing aging bridges on the UP North Line; track, electrical and signal upgrades on Metra Electric, and major tie replacement projects on four lines. In addition, many smaller infrastructure improvements are being completed across Metra’s 11 lines.

Improvements are planned for 35 of Metra’s 242 stations this year. Improvements include upgraded accessibility, repainting, complete platform replacement and more. 

In other Metra news, weekend service on the BNSF Line will see a big boost in service frequency. In response to customer requests, the new schedules add six trains to the BNSF Line’s Saturday schedule and 16 trains to the line’s Sunday schedule so the line has the same service level on both days. The changes will result in the same level of service on both weekend days, with inbound hourly service from 5 a.m. to noon and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and outbound hourly service from 10 a.m. to midnight. There will also be weekday changes on the new schedule, which starts on Monday, April 29.