NATO Security Could Shut Down Rail

Security plans for the Chicago NATO summit could shut down South Shore rail lines and freeways during the two-day event.

Secret Service officials are considering closing rail lines running beneath the McCormick Place summit site. They could also close Lake Shore Drive and the Stevenson Expressway.

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The closures could disrupt the commutes of at least 25,000 Chicagoans, accoridng to Crain's.

“There is a desire for total perimeter control. It could mean the cessation of rail service,”  Gerald Hanas, general manager of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation district, told Crain's. Hanas added the shutdowns are the "worst-case" scenario and may not be used.

Some Metra lines could also be shut down, but a Metra spokeswoman said alternative Metra lines and CTA transfers could fill in.

“We hope to be able to provide the same service, but until we get specific information from the Secret Service and Chicago Police Department, we won’t be able to tell our customers anything because we don’t know,” Metra spokeswoman Meg Reile told the Sun-Times.

Secret Service officials are expected to release a security plan two to four weeks before the May 20 summit.

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