Full Coverage of the Union Pacific Derailment and Bridge Collapse

On July 4, a train derailment along the Union Pacific freight line caused a bridge to collapse, killing a Glenview couple driving underneath. 

Here, read Patch’s full coverage of the recent tragedy: 

Aug. 29:

Northbrook and Glenview officials passed motions approving a redesign plan to replace the Shermer Rd. bridge that collapsed in July following a Union Pacific train derailment.

Aug. 27:

A public meeting of the Glenview and Northbrook Village Boards Aug. 28 is scheduled to review a bridge design estimated to cost $10 million.

Aug. 23:

Union Pacific is handling loss of business claims for local shops, including nearby Mario's Pizza and Beef, whose owner is still concerned about sustaining his business.

July 26: 

"UP is basically giving us options for what kind of a bridge would be replaced their, but the villages are going to have no direct involvement in terms of the engineering of the bridge," said Todd Hileman, Glenview's village manager. "What we’re being asked to do is provide input on what type of bridge and the length of the bridge that we want in there.”

July 25:

As the investigation into the July 4 train derailment and subsequent bridge collapse that killed a Glenview couple continues, Union Pacific officials change their initial statement regarding rail inspections.

July 23: 

The railroad industry has experienced at least four derailments in the last few weeks, according to an FRA release. Under existing laws, the FRA does not have the authority to deny the rebuilding of a rail bridge. 

July 19:

According to Union Pacific spokesman Mark Davis, despite the result of the July 4 derailment, the signal maintainer who reported a rail abnormality acted appropriately and did just about everything he was trained to.

July 17:

A signal maintainer at the scene of the July 4 train derailment witnessed a rail abnormality before the accident and called for a Union Pacific inspector, who arrived "about simultaneously" as the bridge collapsed, said David Connell, Vice President of Engineering for Union Pacific, during a public forum with Glenview-Northbrook residents. 

July 13:

“My customers from Glenview are not coming here," Young Shin, a Glenview resident and owner of  told the Sun-Times. "Making our lease payment will not be easy."

July 11:

Chicago's Clifford Law Offices announced today the Lindner family has retained them as lead counsel in the wrongful death suit after . 

“We’re highly experienced in terrible tragedies," Clifford spokeswoman Pamela Menaker said. 

July 10:

Village officials recommend driving down Patriot Blvd. while Shermer Rd. remains closed for construction. 

July 10:

Union Pacific reps will appear at a public forum on Monday, July 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Glenbrook North.

July 9:  

"There was no better way to go than together," the Lindner's son Matthew said. "They were each other's world. He was her rock, and he couldn't endure life without her."

July 8:

A North Shore native reflects on Wednesday's collapsed bridge and recalls a similar event more than 30 years ago. 

July 6: 

Clean-up crews and freight service are ordered to halt for 36 hours as experts hired by the Lindner family's attorneys investigate the site of Wednesday's bridge collapse. Union Pacific is sued for wrongful death. 

July 6: 

Federal Railroad Administration inspectors determine Union Pacific's temporary bridge is structurally sound. A public meeting with Union Pacific to address resident questions and concerns is scheduled for July 16.

July 5: 

Glenview’s Burton Lindner, 69, and his wife Zorine, 70, were in a car traveling south under the Shermer Rd. overpass at the time of the bridge collapse, approximately 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

July 5:

Construction crews have laid down a temporary rail where the bridge collapsed Wednesday afternoon. Freight service resumed in one direction. Vehicle traffic on Shermer won't reopen until the bridge is rebuilt. Union Pacific still unsure when bridge reconstruction will begin. 

July 4: 

A freight train carrying coal from Wyoming to a utility plant in Wisconsin derailed Wednesday, collapsing an overpass bridge near the Northbrook/Glenview border. According to officials, this is the second derailment at this location since 2009.

This post will be updated with developments as they occur. To stay up to date as this story unfolds, sign up for the Northbrook Patch or Glenview Patch morning newsletter.