(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- While cold weather is nothing new to Chicago, Metra and the CTA are preparing for any potential travel disruptions.
The Chicago area is expected to experience bitterly cold weather the next two days, with temperatures falling below zero overnight.
“Despite this bitter cold that's forecasted, we know that our riders still need to get to where they're going, and so we take that responsibility really, really seriously,” said CTA spokesperson Maddie Kilgannon.
The CTA has overhead heaters installed at over 120 of its outdoor stations to give commuters a warm place to wait.
“We have our track switch heaters tested periodically as that cold weather approaches and then we use sand on platforms and salt near entrances to mitigate any ice accumulation to keep our riders and employees from slipping,” added Kilgannon.
Meantime, Metra says it has installed gas heaters and shields on its most critical rail switches to protect the mechanisms from the elements.
The transit agency also keeps its locomotives powered up overnight when temperatures drop below freezing.
Both Metra and the CTA remind commuters to allow extra time for their commutes and check the Ventra App and social media for any updates on delays or weather disruptions.
Related
