Metra is exploring financing options to repair its aging rail bridges and ensure safe operations. The agency owns 446 bridges, half of which are over a century old. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Metra is exploring financing options to repair its aging rail bridges and ensure safe operations. The agency owns 446 bridges, half of which are over a century old.
Photo: wikipedia

Metra’s Urgent Infrastructure Needs

Metra highlights the need for urgent action as maintaining old bridges grows increasingly expensive. The agency’s five-year plan outlines $5.4 billion in necessary work, but only $2.1 billion in funding is currently available. This $3.3 billion gap has prompted the agency to consider new financial strategies.

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One key option is a $230 million Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan. This program offers low-interest rates, deferred payments, and a 35-year repayment period, making it an ideal choice for large infrastructure projects.

Key Bridge Repairs Planned by Metra

Initial plans include replacing 11 bridges on the UP North Line between Fullerton and Addison. Metra also aims to rebuild critical infrastructure, including the Grand Avenue bridge and the North Branch Chicago River bridge. Additional projects include rehabilitating the Hickory Creek bridge on the Rock Island Line and the 96th Avenue bridge in Mokena.

Metra plans to repay the loan with $15–$20 million annually from fare revenues and sales taxes. The application process is expected to take one year, starting with a letter of interest to the USDOT’s Build America Bureau.

This proactive approach by Metra ensures the safety and reliability of its rail operations. By prioritizing essential repairs and leveraging federal financing, the agency addresses critical infrastructure challenges effectively.

Source: www.rtands.com

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