Delays Continue On Metra UP West Line After Fire

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Thousands of Metra commuters were facing a second day of delays on Wednesday, as the transit agency works to repair damage from a fire caused by an electrical shortage.

Commuters who use the Union Pacific/West Line should expect delays of up to 30 minutes on Wednesday.

An electrical fire at a facility between the Berkeley and Melrose Park stations damaged signals and switches, and caused massive delays on the UP West line Tuesday. Metra has said repairs will delay trains through Thursday afternoon.

The damaged facility, described as a "nerve center controlling all trains in the area," must be reconstructed and undergo extensive testing. Thousands of wires must be replaced.

Until the facility is repaired, all UP West Line trains and all freight traffic using those tracks must stop, get the OK to proceed, and then travel at reduced speeds through the two-mile stretch of track controlled by the damaged facility.

While most inbound and outbound UP West Line trains should depart on time while repairs are underway, they could be delayed 30 minutes or more until the facility is fixed.

Metra also has canceled two trains Wednesday morning:

Train #17, which departs from Ogilvie Transportation Center at 6:57 a.m.,
Train #28, which departs from Elmhurst at 7:35 a.m.

Metra said UP West Line commuters should plan accordingly, and make other travel plans, or take earlier trains in order to reach their destinations on time.

In:
• Metra
• Susanna Song
• Fire