Major delays during the Monday morning commute were reported on several Metra lines across the Chicagoland area due to signal issues, officials said.
The delays were first reported just before 6 a.m. Monday when Metra reported trains on the Milwaukee District North (MD-N), Union Pacific Northwest, Heritage Corridor and North Central Service lines were stopped.
Metra said inbound and outbound trains were stopped due to “positive train control system issues” and the duration of the delays would be unknown.
Around 7 a.m., Metra said the positive train control system issues were caused by the Canadian National Railway.
Motorists reported to Lake and McHenry County Scanner that a freight train was blocking several crossings in the Grayslake and Libertyville area.
Heavy traffic delays were reported at the railroad crossings at Route 120, Route 83, Peterson Road and Winchester Road.
Metra said around 7:40 a.m. that inbound and outbound MD-N trains were operating with extensive delays. “Some trains may be departing late, operating out of sequence or annulled.”
Metra reported 20 minutes later that all MD-N trains would be operating with extensive delays.
Metra also reported that some trains on the NCS line would not operate due to the issues and that other trains on the line continued to experience extensive delays. “Passengers should consider seeking alternate transportation.”
Metra said that riders on the UP-NW line from Harvard to Fox River Grove may wish to travel to Barrington or seek alternative transport as all trains on the line were extensively delayed.
One social media user responded by saying the trains on the UP-NW line were not operating at all.
“They aren’t operating at all. We were told driving from CL to Palatine, Round Lake or Elgin were our best options. I’m on the West Line now,” the user said.