Unexpected Train Mishap Shuts Down Oak Lawn Roads

A freight train went off its tracks early Wednesday, throwing a wrench into the daily commute for Metra riders and forcing several roads in Oak Lawn to close. The incident happened near the 108th Street crossing, and Metra learned about it at roughly 4:45 a. m. The company had to halt all Southwest services because the rails were no longer safe. Oak Lawn police shut down Central Avenue between 107th and Pleasant Boulevard, while the Chicago Ridge squad closed Ridgeland Avenue from Southwest Highway to Washington Street. The 10700 block of Central Avenue will remain closed for at least a day, possibly longer.Metra’s spokesperson, Martha Hill, urged passengers to seek alternate routes or consider driving into the city instead of waiting for trains. Neither police nor Metra reported any injuries, and the Chicago Ridge unit confirmed that no hazardous materials were involved. The situation is still evolving, so commuters should stay tuned for new updates and plan their travel accordingly.