Dec 19, 2008 10:09 am US/Central
Ice Shuts Down Metra Service In South Suburbs
Service Shut Down From Riverdale To University Park
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Ice accumulated on the overhead wires that power Metra trains early Friday, forcing the transit agency to cancel some service in the south suburbs.
Metra announced Thursday night that it could accommodate extra crowds during the snow and ice storm, which was so severe that the Illinois Department of Transportation advised motorists not to drive at all.
But frozen wires posed a problem on the Metra Electric Line. Metra shut down service south of Kensington on the line, and delays were reported all the way downtown. Later, the stretch from Kensington to Riverdale was reopened.
By 1:40 p.m., trains were running all the way to University Park again, but fewer trains were running and runs were being combined.
In addition, a train bound for downtown Chicago at 1:57 p.m. stopped near the Richton Park station due to mechanical problems, although it was not immediately learned if the weather played a role.
Earlier in south suburban Matteson, a train had to be stopped. About 4:45 a.m., Metra Electric District train No. 100 had to stop near Matteson because of weather conditions, according to Metra's Web site. The train was scheduled to arrive at Chicago's Millennium station at 5:32 a.m.
Metra said the train stopped because of frozen wires.
Updates From Metra
The STNG Wire contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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