(The following article by Steve Zalusky was posted on the Chicago Daily Herald website on August 12.)
CHICAGO — U.S. Congressman Mark Kirk said Metra is halfway home toward receiving $52 million for upgrades to its rail commuter service.
The amount includes $20 million for construction of a second track for its North Central line from Antioch to Chicago.
During a news conference at the line’s Buffalo Grove stop Monday, Kirk said the House has approved the funding, but added the Senate still needs to grant approval.
In addition to the $20 million for the North Central line, Metra is in line to receive $32 million for the extension of its Union Pacific West Line from Geneva to Elburn and to lengthen its southwest service from Orland Park to Manhattan.
But the main focus of Kirk’s update was about the laying of a second track along the North Central route.
“Once completed, this double-track system will expand transit services for the people of northern Illinois,” Kirk said. “Transit studies show that up to one-third of the traffic in front of you at an intersection is actually a commuter bound for downtown. This service will allow those commuters an additional opportunity to enter the city via mass transit. A way of life which has been built on the North Shore suburbs will now be available out here, building property values, convenience and especially environmental protection for the people of northern Illinois.”
Buffalo Grove Village President Elliott Hartstein and Wheeling Village President Greg Klatecki were on hand to thank Kirk for his efforts.
“Without your hard work and the hard work of many others, we wouldn’t have this double tracking become a reality,” Hartstein said.
Hartstein even composed a special song for the occasion, praising Kirk to the tune of “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.”
Metra representatives said that by the end of 2005 the rail provider will increase service on the North Central from 10 trains per day to 22 trains per day.
“Once we have double tracking, people can have a flexible work schedule,” Kirk said. “Right now, we have a fairly inflexible schedule.”
He said more people will use the service to get to O’Hare International Airport.
Klatecki said the double tracking will decrease traffic delays through Wheeling. Because some double tracking exists along the line south of Dundee Road, northbound trains have to sit in Wheeling, waiting for oncoming train traffic to clear. Once the trains are allowed to continue, it takes a while to get them up to speed, officials said.
Kirk said there could be problems if the Senate does not approve the funding. However, he said, “I don’t see a lot of difficulty here. I think this is a solid project, well engineered and in the president’s budget.”