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4/9/2026
Yesterday, Metra shared details about its 2026 construction and maintenance-of-way (MOW) program.
This year, the commuter railroad has budgeted $59.1 million for signal, electrical and communications maintenance and upgrades; $37.7 million for track maintenance work; $32.3 million for station and parking improvements; $22.3 million for bridge projects; and $5.2 million for grade crossing replacements. Last year, the budget for each of those work segments was $39.2 million, $48.1 million, $34.9 million, $46.2 million and $5.9 million, respectively.
The 2026 program in part calls for improvements to 20 stations, the replacement of 22 crossings and completion of three major tie replacement projects, with about 51,000 ties to be installed in total.
Metra also plans to continue a multiyear project to upgrade track, electrical and signal systems on the Metra Electric Line to accommodate a service expansion on the South Shore Line. In addition, work will continue on a major project to rebuild 11 120-year-old bridges between Fullerton Avenue and Addison Street in Chicago on the UP North Line.
Funding for some projects was allocated in prior years’ capital programs or will be provided by outside sources, including municipalities and freight railroad partners, Metra officials said in a press release.
“We plan to take full advantage of the construction season and available funding to address projects across the railroad,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski.
More information about the projects planned across Metra’s 11 lines in 2026 is available here.
To learn more about the MOW work proposed by other passenger and freight railroads this year, read the 2026 MOW Spending Report in Progressive Railroading’s April issue.