Milwaukee North midday, weekend service cut back in April for construction
A story about construction-related schedule changes on the Milwaukee North line gave an incorrect time for the last morning train from Fox Lake to Chicago. Beginning April 5, the last train will be Train 2124 at 7:28 a.m.
Metra riders on the Milwaukee District North Line can expect some disruptions to their routines in April when the railroad replaces about 17,000 ties between Libertyville and Fox Lake.
Issues facing commuters will include canceling midday trains between Fox Lake and Grayslake on weekdays April 5 to 27, although busing will be available, and eliminating weekend service north of Lake Forest on April 7 and 8, April 14 and 15, and April 21 and 22.
"Track projects like this are absolutely essential to maintaining safe and high-quality rail service," Executive Director Jim Derwinski said in a statement. Limiting train traffic will save time and speed up the project, he said.
The work will extend for 17 miles and include replacing five switches, clearing brush and upgrading signals in preparation for the installation of an automatic braking system called Positive Train Control.
Schedules will be posted on Metra's website in the near future.
Here are more details about the project's impact.
• On weekdays, Metra will continue to run trains in the morning and afternoon rush hours between Fox Lake and Grayslake. The last train to Chicago in the morning from Fox Lake will be Train 2124 at 7:28 a.m. Inbound trains will not restart until Train 2146 leaves at 4:14 p.m.
The first train to leave Chicago in the afternoon will be Train 2121 departing Union Station at 2:35 p.m. and reaching Fox Lake at 4:08 p.m.
Buses from Fox Lake, Ingleside, Long Lake and Round Lake to catch trains in Grayslake will be offered during the midday hours. But although buses will leave those stations at the regularly scheduled train departure time, they will not arrive at Grayslake in time to catch the normally scheduled train.
Parking is available in Grayslake for riders who choose to drive.
• On weekends between April 7 and 22, Metra will not have inbound or outbound trains north of Lake Forest. An exception exists for outbound trains leaving Union Station at 8:35 p.m. and later.
Riders are advised to park at the Lake Forest Station during that time period for weekend trips.