WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — The 99th Street railroad crossing at Vincennes Avenue in Washington Heights will close today as Metra begins a 10-day "renewal" process.
The project will not impact Metra commuters and will include the replacement of rails, railroad ties, ballast, rubber panels and asphalt, said Meg Thomas-Reile, a spokeswoman for the commuter rail agency.
The crossing commonly used by residents of nearby Beverly as a shortcut to Interstate 57 and the Dan Ryan Expy. is the latest in a series of system-wide improvements planned for 29 crossings this year, Reile said.
Such improvements are part of Metra's regular maintenance cycle and typically cost about $300,000 each, she said. Metra completed a similar crossing project near its 111th Street Station July 14.
A third such project along Metra's Rock Island District Line in Beverly is planned for sometime this year at the crossing near 102nd Street, said Reile, adding that there is no specific timetable for that project.
