Lipinski Announces Nearly $23 Million Grant for Metra for PTC

Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) has announced that Metra will receive almost $23 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) safety technology. PTC is a federally mandated computerized system that prevents certain types of train-to-train collisions, helps avoid derailments and other accidents caused by excessive speed, and increases safety for rail workers.

“This is good news for Metra users and every commuter in the Chicago area,” said Rep. Lipinski. “Representing a district with a large number of rail lines, I have always made safety a top priority on the Railroad Subcommittee. In 2008, I included language in a bill to create the Rail Safety Technology Grant program to help railroads install life-saving PTC more quickly. Last Congress, I joined with Rep. Quigley on a bill to reauthorize the grant program so that Metra could get federal help to install this critical technology.”

Lipinski is also pleased to announce that the Belt Railway Company of Chicago has received an $8.6 million dollar grant from the Department of Transportation for the installation of PTC technology.

“I will continue to push my colleagues in Congress to consider a comprehensive infrastructure bill before the end of the year that includes additional dollars to help expedite the implementation of PTC both in the region and across the country,” Lipinski stated.