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Reply to "Metra roll call!!!!"

@mark s posted:

Big Truck Pete:  What is the "shoo fly" for?  Are they replacing the toll road bridges? I will have to take a drive over there to see the action!

Which brings to mind, in 1957 (I grew up in Hinsdale), when the Burlington constructed the toll road bridges originally and built a "shoo fly" for the displaced trains. They employed a steam pile driver and I enjoyed laying in bed listening for it's steam locomotive whistle, as it signaled for re-positioning.

Mark,

They are widening the toll road by at least two lanes and due to the expansion the railroad bridge also needs to be widened. The cat walk or pedestrian bridge is coming down permanently. They plan to add a pedestrian/bike path lane on a new bridge on 47th street. I’ve used that bridge since I was a kid to bike all around the area. We’d bike “all the way” to LaGrange and over to Graue Mill and build forts in the woods. Plus it was a good place to get trucks to blast their horns!! Gonna miss the bridge.

As for the pile driving, it has returned!! I have the pleasure of waking up to the melodious pounding! They tend to do this through the night. Unfortunately, no steam whistle to listen for!! It is one massive project and has been interesting to watch. Still about a year to go to complete it.

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800-980-OGRR (6477)
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