‘Sounding the alarm’: Metra hopes bridge funding bill gains traction despite distraction

It would be tough to find a member of Congress running on a platform of “roads are a waste of tax dollars,” or “bridges can fix themselves.”

But while dependable infrastructure is crucial to the lives of Democrats and Republicans, it usually takes a calamity to command attention.

To counter that trend, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley and Metra leaders last week made some noise about an infrastructure bill that hasn’t caught fire in D.C. — yet.

Quigley and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth introduced the Building Rail Infrastructure for a Durable and Growing Economy (BRIDGE) Act on Jan. 28.

It would create a program allowing commuter railroads to compete for $1.5 billion annually to help pay for overdue maintenance, repairs and replacement of bridges. Metra alone has more than 200 bridges that need to be fixed.

With Washington focused on a partial government shutdown, immigration, the Epstein files, war with Iran and primary elections, there’s been a lot competing for Congress’ attention.

Supporters hope the legislation will get some traction in the coming months.

“Tens of thousands of people use Metra to get to and from work every single day. They deserve fast, reliable, and most importantly, safe transportation,” Quigley said Wednesday at a news conference with Metra Chair Joseph McMahon.

“For the last few years, we have been sounding the alarm about the number of Metra bridges that will need to be replaced or updated,” McMahon said.

Metra trains run over 926 bridges in the region. Freight railroads own about 480 of those and Metra has 446 — half of which are 100 years old or more.

The agency spends $140 million a year to maintain or replace bridges but it’s not enough, McMahon told the Daily Herald Thursday. He added existing bridges are safe and the agency regularly inspects them.

But eventually age “has an impact on the speed at which trains can go over a bridge. It has a direct impact on on-time performance. We have bridges that are literally made of wood,” said McMahon, the former Kane County state’s attorney.

And “when you have these old bridges with only double tracks, or in some cases single track, where only one train can go over it at a time, that causes a delay. And these delays cause stacking of other trains that are delayed as well.”

The federal government announced last fall it’s increasing the number of bridge inspectors from under 10 to over 160, which amplifies the need for more funding, McMahon said.

So what’s next?

The legislation currently is parked in the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials and the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee looking for a friend to be a cosponsor.

McMahon is hopeful. “Transportation is clearly a bipartisan issue,” he said.

Got a comment? Drop an email to mpyke@dailyherald.com.

One more thing

Pace is expanding its Northwest Cook County On Demand service, which includes Rolling Meadows, Arlington Heights, Palatine and Mount Prospect.

On Demand Service lets riders book trips using an app within designated service zones for $2 with Ventra or $2.25 cash fare. Trips are shared with other passengers and can be reserved up to a week ahead or 10 minutes before pickup depending on availability.

“This innovative service connects people to jobs, schools, health care, and other essential destinations — particularly in areas where traditional fixed‑route service may not fully meet community needs,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said at a dedication March 5.

To learn more, visit pacebus.com/on-demand.

Gridlock alert

Overnight closures of the ramp taking traffic from eastbound I-88 to the southbound Tri-State Tollway start this week to allow workers to install a beam for the York Road bridge.

The ramp connecting northbound I-294 to westbound I-88 will be reduced to one lane with intermittent closures starting at 8 p.m. Monday through 5 a.m. Tuesday.

On Tuesday at 10 p.m., the ramp linking eastbound I-88 to the southbound Tri-State will close with detours posted. It will reopen by 4 a.m. Wednesday.