Metra has announced plans to apply for a $230 million Federal Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement (RIFF) loan to fund multiple bridge replacement projects. The Chicago commuter railroad operates trains across 926 bridges each weekday, owning 446 of them. According to a press release from Metra, 50 per cent of these bridges are more than 100 years old, while another 30 per cent exceed the 75-year standard service life for steel bridges. Although the aging bridges remain stable, they are becoming increasingly costly to repair and maintain.
While Metra receives funding for capital projects from local, state, and federal sources, these funds fall short of covering the $5.4 billion needed for its 2025–2029 capital plan. Currently, Metra has $2.1 billion in available funding.
The $230 million loan would complete funding for 11 major bridge replacement projects on the UP North Line on Chicago’s north side. Metra would also use the funds to rebuild the Grand Avenue bridge on the Milwaukee District lines in Chicago, reconstruct the bridge over the north branch of the Chicago River in Northbrook, and expand another bridge over the river in Rondout. Additional projects include rehabilitating the Hickory Creek bridge on the Rock Island Line and rebuilding the bridge over 96th Avenue.