Amtrak cancellations affecting several Chicago routes as strike looms; Metra could be affected

CHICAGO (WLS) — The threat of a major rail strike is affecting travel plans for a lot of people in Chicago Tuesday morning, and it could affect Metra service, as well.

Amtrak has preemptively canceled trips on multiple routes that go through the city.

More than 100,000 railroad workers are threatening to go on strike, and that could drastically affect commuters and the economy.

On Tuesday morning, talks are taking place in Washington to avoid a rail strike, as unions representing engineers and conductors negotiate with the nation’s biggest freight railroads.

SEE MORE: Crippling nationwide railroad strike could happen as soon as Friday

Passenger service and supply chains could come to a halt, costing the economy an estimated $2 billion per day.

“Obviously, a railroad strike at this point in time would be extraordinarily detrimental to our economy and the American people, and we want to avoid that,” said Rep. Steny Hoyer, Democrat majority leader.

Amtrak is preemptively canceling trips on multiple routes that go through Chicago, including Southwest Chief and the Zephyr.

Among the routes being suspended are long-distance routes from Chicago to Los Angeles, Chicago to Seattle, Chicago to San Francisco and a portion of one of its routes that runs from Los Angeles to San Antonio. Affected passengers will be eligible for a refund.

Metra service could also be affected, as nine of the commuter rail’s lines, all except the Metra Electric and Rock Island, interact with freight railroads in some way.

Four of the lines, the BNSF and Union Pacific North, Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West, are owned by and directly operated by freight railroads. If the work stoppage occurs, there will likely not be service on those lines.

The deadline for a contract deal is 12:01 a.m. Friday.