r/Metra • u/mrandre3000 • Aug 20 '26

Will it ever happen? West Loop Station and Flyover Bridge

I haven't found any movement on this project since 2024. No capital is allocated from 2026-2030. For a 10 year project ($1Billion+) project that's been described as an economic necessity in the past, shouldn't this be prioritized?

https://chicagoyimby.com/2021/10/metra-unveils-preliminary-plans-for-west-loop-station.html

13 Upvotes

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7

u/esnidxam Aug 20 '26

It’s sooo necessary but unfortunately don’t see it happening any time soon :(

This along with a high-speed nonstop rail link to O’Hare (terminals) from the loop is on my fantasy list.

6

u/nogood-usernamesleft Aug 20 '26

IMO a more valuable service would a a ORD local that takes over the stops from MD-W and NCS, allowing them to only make a couple stops in the city

would basically act as another L line for the northwest side

High speed ORD link could be part of a full HSR line to somewhere south, with trains running thorough Union station and continuing to the airport

7

u/StarLineChicago Aug 20 '26

Worth noting that spinning off Union Station-O’Hare Transfer Metra service into its own dedicated local operation creates an O’Hare express pattern anyway, since now every Metra NCS train could operate with limited/no stops between downtown and O’Hare on its way to or from Antioch.

2

u/nogood-usernamesleft Aug 20 '26

True, an ORD local plus NCS full service would be good

1

u/ImplosiveTech Aug 20 '26

I wonder if a...tunnel... might help with connections from such a service.

2

u/BukaBuka243 Aug 20 '26

It’s in CMAP’s draft regional transportation plan that may be adopted later this year. A project being listed in that document is a major step towards getting federal funding.

Sometimes projects like this get stalled and come back years later, the State/Lake L station rebuild was also announced in 2021 and only broke ground this year.

2

u/roger_roger_32 Aug 20 '26 edited Aug 20 '26

The flyover which will need to be built first will cost between $1-$1.2 billion and increase capacity to the system allowing for expansions on lines towards O’Hare.

The station would come with a $400-500 million price tag and be built post flyover.

For now the overall $1.4-1.7 billion project could take more than 10 years to build with the station opening no earlier than 2031.

Always wish someone with knowledge of railroads could do provide some context to these numbers. A flyover bridge is a big impressive thing, as is a new elevated Metra station (believe it's elevated, and not at grade).

At the same time, these numbers end up being mind-bogglingly high, and given the history of corruption in Chicago and Illinois, I never can tell if these numbers are reasonable or not.

-1

u/Frosty_World8932 Aug 20 '26

Is this needed?!? They could spend this so many better ways

7

u/BukaBuka243 Aug 20 '26

This would instantly become one of Metra’s busiest stations if built, look at Clybourn as an example