Metra is considering a new financing approach to address its growing infrastructure backlog, particularly the urgent need to replace aging bridges. With hundreds of bridges reaching or exceeding their intended service life, the agency is looking at federal funding to supplement its existing capital budget.
The Scale of the Problem
Every weekday, Metra trains cross 926 bridges, of which 446 are owned by Metra and the rest by freight railroads. Among Metra’s bridges, 50% are over a century old, while another 30% are beyond 75 years, exceeding the typical lifespan of steel bridges. While these structures remain operationally safe, they are becoming increasingly expensive to maintain and will eventually impact service reliability if not replaced.
Funding Shortfalls and Alternative Solutions
Metra’s capital needs significantly outweigh its available resources. The agency’s five-year capital plan (2025-2029) identifies $5.4 billion in infrastructure needs, but only $2.1 billion in available funding. Traditional sources, including local, state, and federal grants, have proven insufficient to bridge the gap.
To expedite necessary replacements, Metra is now exploring a $230 million loan through the federal Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) program. Unlike revenue bonds, which Metra has the authority to issue, the RRIF program offers lower interest rates, flexible amortization, and deferred repayment options, making it an attractive alternative. Repayments, estimated between $15 million and $20 million annually, would be covered through Metra’s regular operating fund sources, including fares and regional sales taxes.
Planned Bridge Replacements
The funds would be allocated to complete several major projects, including:
- UP North Line: Replacement of 11 bridges between Fullerton and Addison on Chicago’s North Side.
- Milwaukee District Lines: Reconstruction of the Grand Avenue bridge in Chicago and the North Branch of the Chicago River bridge in Northbrook.
- Rondout Expansion: Enhancements to the bridge over the North Branch of the Chicago River on the Milwaukee District North Line.
- Rock Island Line: Rehabilitation of the Hickory Creek bridge between Mokena and New Lenox and the 96th Avenue bridge in Mokena.
These projects were prioritized because the design phase is either completed or nearing completion, allowing work to begin promptly upon securing funding.
Next Steps and Timeline
Metra anticipates that the RRIF loan application process will take approximately a year. The first phase, expected to span three months, involves submitting a letter of interest to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau (BAB) and initiating an underwriting review. Following this, Metra will update its Board of Directors Finance Committee before proceeding to formal loan negotiations.
With bridge replacements becoming an unavoidable necessity, securing this funding could mark a crucial step in ensuring the long-term reliability of Metra’s infrastructure.