The US Department of Transportation has given a $46m grant to the Chicago-area commuter rail agency Metra to repair three of its lines.

The money will be used for bridge rehabilitation and reconstruction on the Electric, District and the Union Pacific North Line.

The existing fibre optic cable on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe commuter rail line will be replaced by a new cable that will support voice and data needs.

The repairs will also upgrade essential signal and communications information.