The hump in Union Pacific’s (former Chicago & North Western) Proviso Yard has been closed. The yard is located along Metra’s UP West Line along the Berkeley & Bellwood stations. In 2020, UP also idled the humps at Hinkle, Ore., and Pine Bluff, Ark., converting remaining traffic to flat-switching. Proviso was a landmark of the Chicago & North Western Railway, opened the yard in 1929. The former C&NW yard will continue to be a major player in Union Pacific’s Chicago-area operations. The elimination of the hump will allow expansion of the Global 2 intermodal facility at Proviso.

In 2023, UP has invested more than $150 million in the expansion and upgrade of Global 2, shifting traffic from the congested Global 1 site in Chicago. The terminal features six cranes, including three hybrid battery-electric models.