Lipinski Hails Metra Expansion on Heritage Corridor Line; Starts in March

Riders on the Heritage Corridor commuter rail line will have

U.S. Rep Dan Lipinski

another option for getting home each weekday starting Monday, March 14, when Metra adds a mid-afternoon departure from Chicago, U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-3rd) has announced.

The 2:45 p.m. departure from Union Station will expand weekday service on the line from six to seven trains--three inbound in the morning and four outbound in the afternoon/evening--giving downtown commuters more options to get home. The train will make stops at Summit, Willow Springs, Lemont and Lockport before arriving at its final destination in Joliet at 4 p.m.

“After spending many years and countless hours fighting to get Heritage Corridor riders more service, I am happy to finally see another train added to this line,” Lipinski said. “This new departure time will mean more people in the southwestern suburbs and Will County will be able to spend less of their valuable time each day driving on congested roads or traveling to less convenient Metra stations. As the most senior member from Illinois on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I look forward to continuing to work to increase, enhance, and expand commuter rail service across my district and the entire region.”
  

The new service required agreements from Canadian National, which owns the tracks and operates freight service on the line, as well as Amtrak.

“I want to thank Metra--especially CEO/Executive Director Don Orseno and board member Lemont Mayor Brian Reaves--for working to add this service to the Heritage Corridor,” Lipinski added. “I am pleased that Canadian National and Amtrak have found a way to allow the addition of this train.  There is great demand along this line, and it will continue to grow.  While this is a good first step, more certainly needs to be done to provide the service that the residents of southwestern Cook County and northeastern Will County deserve.”

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