As the demand for public transit from Indiana increases, the Van Buren and Millennium Station track reconfiguration and tunnel extension project is a critical final piece to help bring more trains and passengers to downtown Chicago. With a contract price of $100M to perform most of the infrastructure, all the track, signal and overhead catenary work associated with the project adds another $75+M in force account oversight performed by Metra personnel. The under-track tunnel at Van Buren will extend to accommodate another ADA accessible island platform supported by hundreds of micropile. New and extended platforms at Millennium will add a whole new track to service passengers in the NICTD depot. New catenary structural steel, supported by large helical piles, is replacing old, obsolete structures that will eventually be removed. Other upgrades will consist of adding a new electrical duct bank for new switch heaters, providing power to the switch heaters, new storm sewer drains and upgrading ADA access in the area. As a fourth mainline track is added from 11th Place bridge to Millennium, many yards tracks are also being reconfigured to add train storage outside of the peak rush hour times. The project footprint is from 11th Place St. to Millennium depot and is scheduled to be completed in late 2026.

Join YEC for a site visit!

Thursday, October 2nd at 12pm

All attendees must provide their own PPE, including:

• Boots (not sneakers)
• Hard Hat
• Orange Safety Vest (Emphasize orange. As this is a rail site the standard yellow vests are not sufficient. Attendees to reach out if they do not have one and we can see about providing them with a loaner)
• Safety Glasses