Metra Union Pacific North Line Improvements

Metra’s Union Pacific North Line runs through a narrow urban corridor on Chicago’s north side, utilizing several aging bridges along the route. Our team provided construction management for reconstruction of 11 bridges, 1,000 feet of retaining wall, and a new passenger station, keeping two tracks operational during construction.

V3 also provided structural engineering services for the complete redesign of the bridge over Leland Avenue as a result of Metra’s desire to extend the Ravenswood Station platforms over the road. The structure was changed from a standard through-plate girder design to an innovative three-span deck girder design. Additional services included civil design, survey coordination, and environmental review services, as well as a coordinated effort to increase green space along the project corridor. These efforts not only improved travel conditions for commuters, but also was designated a 2016 ACEC-Illinois Engineering Excellence Special Achievement Award Winner.

Owner

Metra

Additional Info

Project Highlight:

We revised the design of the Leland Avenue Bridge from a through-girder design to a deck beam design due to the decision to extend the planned Ravenswood Station platforms across the structure.
The need to keep two tracks operational throughout the construction phase prompted large-scale project changes that were addressed by our design and construction management staff, Metra, the Union Pacific Railroad, the general contractor, aldermanic offices and CDOT.
Structural designs for temporary passenger platforms located one block from existing and proposed station were completed for project staging.