ROCKFORD, Ill. — With an 1880s bridge over the Rock River supporting a Metra train as a backdrop, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and other officials announced Thursday that Chicago commuter operator Metra had been selected to partner with Union Pacific to provide two daily rail roundtrips between Rockford and Chicago by 2027.
The estimated $275 million investment comes from the state’s Rebuild Illinois infrastructure fund.
The route chosen will use Metra’s Milwaukee-West commuter corridor, with a stop at Elgin. At Big Timber, the current end of the commuter route, a flyover will be built to connect with Union Pacific’s Rockford branch. Additional stations will be constructed at Huntley, in Metra-served McHenry County; Belvedere; and downtown Rockford, west of the river.
Amtrak had also previously expressed interest in operating the service. The agreement calls for the state to reimburse Metra for all capital and operating costs above ticket revenue the commuter railroad takes in. Exact station locations and detailed engineering still need to be determined.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara says the station there will be on the north or south side of the existing tracks where the former Chicago and North Western station was located.
“The improvements needed are identified; now that funding is in place, we will partner with IDOT and Union Pacific and the railroad will have contracts with villages,” Metra Executive Director Jim Derwinski tells News Wire. “None of the definitive agreements are in place. Now IDOT has to say this is what the engineering is going to be and let’s get it out for bid.” At the Big Timber flyover, “We will probably go over and [CPKC] will stay under,” Derwinski adds.
Union Pacific Vice President John Turner says the pact with the state includes an additional passing track on the line originally built by Chicago & North Western predecessor Galena & Chicago Union as Chicago’s first railroad beginning in 1848. The C&NW had upgraded tracks past the Illinois Railway Museum at Union, Ill., as far as Belvedere to serve a Chrysler automobile plant. But the roadbed between the factory and downtown Rockford was allowed to deteriorate and will need substantial upgrading.
It will be the first passenger service to Rockford in more than 40 years. When route improvements are complete, travel time is anticipated to be slightly less than two hours for the approximately 90-mile trip, according to a press release from Pritzker’s office. More information is available at a new website devoted to the project.
Share this article
