Trackwork on SWS?

Just saw a service bulletin at Metra's site advising of possible delays to off peak service on SWS due to track work between Palos Park and OP/179th. Isn't most of the ROW in that area of new, or recent construction? Anybody know what's going on? Thanks...

doepack wrote:Just saw a service bulletin at Metra's site advising of possible delays to off peak service on SWS due to track work between Palos Park and OP/179th.

A more accurate service bulletin would have advised riders to begin expecting delays during all hours of SWS operation, not just rush hour.

I have posted some updates on this trackwork in the Construction thread previously.

This is all related to the widening of LaGrange Road through Orland which required a new Metra bridge spanning 6 lanes. In order to accomplish this, the mainline is being shifted east from just south of 143rd Street and will realign with the current tracks at the curve prior to 135th Street. This project has been long planned, and is the reason the new 143rd Street station was built away from the current mains. Included in the project are new platforms at 143rd Street. The bridge work is nearing completion which will allow track work to get underway. Next week through August, the 143rd Street grade crossing will be reconstructed with the new alignment. Not sure how Metra will handle the shifting to the new mains without a bigger interruption of service considering several trains meet at 143rd Street. A view from Google Maps shows the beginning of the track work in April.

These are from 6/17. I may be able to get some update shots tomorrow.

Some updates at 143rd Street.

New bike path follows along the tracks.

New bridge for rails and path over LaGrange Road.

View south toward 143rd Street.

New platform on east side.

View north from end of new platform.

New signal installed on new main. Not sure if this is a temp signal or permanent.

Was able to go over to 143rd tonight to grab some shots of the new track #1 which was cut over on Aug 4th.






Also got video of train #'s 838 and 831 meeting.
Video is here.

What is that bridge over (body of water)? Some lake or pond?

The bridge being replaced is over LaGrange Road, which is being widened from 4 to 6 lanes.