Suburban Skyview: Work on third main line in Geneva making progress

Construction continues on a third main line in Geneva. Union Pacific is adding the line near the current UP-West tracks that run from Kress Road in West Chicago to Peck Road in Geneva.

The work began in 2022 when UP began building a new train bridge across the Fox River and modifying pavement. The Route 31 underpass remains closed. The village was notified that the closure will be in place through the end of June.

The official detour route for drivers is to use Route 25 from Fabyan Parkway in Batavia to Route 64 (Main Street) in St. Charles. Local drivers can use Third Street, but should be aware of heavy pedestrian traffic in the downtown area. At some point, Third Street and Western Avenue will each be shut down at the crossings for up to 12 weeks.

The $100 million-plus project is in motion to help alleviate freight train congestion at bottlenecks on the six-mile stretch of track in Geneva and the Melrose Park area. The UP expects to finish the project this year.