Metra Electric South Shore Track 4 Expansion

[renardo870]

Metra Electric 

https://metra.com/newsroom/construction-impact-metra-electric-line-midday-and-weekend-service-july-13-21

South Shore 

https://mysouthshoreline.com/south-shore-line-metra-construction-project-to-impact-south-shore-line-midday-and-weekend-service-july-13-21/

Edited July 12, 2024 by renardo870
Metra Electric South Shore

[Tcmetro]

I've noticed them gearing up for this project over the past few months. Glad to see it will only take a week to do.

[renardo870]

https://metra.com/newsroom/temporary-platforms-be-used-five-metra-electric-stations-during-project

https://mysouthshoreline.com/van-buren-street-station-temporary-platform-oct-14-27-2024/

 

Track 3 OOS for MED/NICTD expansion project @Van Buren St Station starting Oct 14th - Oct 27th.

Edited October 11, 2024 by renardo870
Added info

[NewFlyerMCI]

Is there any documentation or explanation that details how this work will increase capacity?

[Busjack]

11 minutes ago, NewFlyerMCI said:

Is there any documentation or explanation that details how this work will increase capacity?

 

You can look throughout the South Shore site. Essentially NICTD gets is own platform at Van Buren St. and a 2 track clear shot into its berths at Millennium Station. Needed for the 15 additional Lake Shore corridor trains and whatever additional service for the Monon corridor effective May 2025.

[renardo870]

Metra Electric South Shore trackwork between 18th and Millennium Station:

https://metra.com/newsroom/work-impact-metra-electric-south-shore-service-two-december-weekends

https://mysouthshoreline.com/short-term-busing-between-metras-18th-street-station-and-millennium-station-due-to-metra-construction-december-7-8-and-14-15-2024/

 

Edited November 26, 2024 by renardo870
Added South Shore info

[artthouwill]

I took a stroll by Van Buren Station today.  Apparently all trains are using Tracks 2 and 3 ( the island platform).  There is no Track 4 or any tracks east of Track 3.   The station waiting room is vacant. Unfortunately I didn't think to visit the Museum Campus Station.   Hopefully I will get to it in the near future. 

[renardo870]

Metra Electric and South Shore Trackwork will impact service between Millennium Station and 18th for two weekends in May.

https://metra.com/newsroom/work-to-impact-metra-electric-south-shore-service-on-two-weekends-in-may

 

[artthouwill]

From what I could see recently,  the new platform at Van Buren is up.  The island platform appears to have access to track 3 blocked off.  I couldn't see if track 4 was built or active yet or if NICTD trains were using the new platform from track 3.   It appears as though all outbound trains might be using track 1 and inbound ME trains are using track 2. 

I wonder when this project is completed  if NICTD trains will board both directions from the new platform on tracks 4 and 5 with tracks 6 and 7 ( or 5A and 6) being storage tracks?

[Elkmn]

Got this photo. What's that ferris wheel in the background for?

[artthouwill]

40 minutes ago, Elkmn said:

Got this photo. What's that ferris wheel in the background for?

I completely forgot.   Today Metra is celebrating 100 years of Electrification as the Illinois Central  ( now Metra Electric)  was electrified in 1926.  There were supposed to be festivities between Noon and 3pm.  The ferris wheel has to be related to that.

[Tcmetro]

4 hours ago, Elkmn said:

Got this photo. What's that ferris wheel in the background for?

It is for Lollapalooza which is next week.

[NewFlyerMCI]

19 hours ago, Elkmn said:

Got this photo. What's that ferris wheel in the background for?

Embarrassing to admit, but my first thought was "is that not Navy Pier in the distance?" 😂