Rubble on track at Union Station came from postal service property
The U.S. Postal Service is reviewing what caused concrete to topple onto a track at Union Station from property it owns above the south concourse Wednesday.
The mishap closed three tracks at the railroad station, owned by Amtrak, and delayed Metra BNSF and other commuters during the morning rush.
"USPS is investigating this situation and the area in question," post office spokesman Tim Norman said.
Fallen concrete caused injuries at Union Station this January and in September 2016.
U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski, a Western Springs Democrat and member of the House Transportation Committee, is "very concerned about the concrete at Union Station," spokesman Phil Davidson said.
"He's already reached out to Amtrak ... and will be talking to the various stakeholders to see what needs to be done about the infrastructure."
The Daily Herald observed Metra tracks in the south concourse Thursday and photographed several beams that appeared dilapidated and rusting.
So far, "we think Amtrak is fully engaged with the overhead building owners to make sure they are meeting their responsibilities to maintain their structures," Metra spokesman Michael Gillis said Thursday. "Amtrak is also coordinating with the Chicago Department of Transportation, which owns some of these structures."
The photos appear to show an area where improvements are scheduled in the next six weeks, Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said.
Amtrak is proceeding with a massive redevelopment at Union Station that includes upgrading the track area and fixing an ongoing overcrowding problem but funding is an issue.
To pay for "much-needed repairs and overall infrastructure investment," Metra is lobbying for "a robust capital bill in the very near future," Metra Director John Zediker of Naperville said.