Metra, Union Pacific Railroad, Lombard and DuPage County officials broke ground Wednesday on more than $9.7 million in improvements at the Lombard Station along the UP West Line, including a new pedestrian underpass, rebuilt platforms and new platform canopies.
“We at Metra realize that our stations serve as gateways to our system, so it’s important to make sure riders get a good impression when they use one for the first time or for the 100th time,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “That’s why projects like this are so important. We’re going to create an appealing, comfortable station that will serve the community of Lombard and its residents for many years to come.”
“When completed, this underpass will not only improve safety for pedestrians and commuters, but also provide a significant improvement by linking the downtown shopping district to many of Lombard’s most-prized cultural and historical gems,” said Village President Keith Giagnorio. “It is our hope the new tunnel will serve as a link for these two important areas of our Village and help Lombard’s downtown continue to progress and grow.”
“I particularly welcome joint investments like these in DuPage County,” said DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin. “Safe, efficient and beautiful stations like the one planned here in Lombard not only benefit the thousands of commuters who will use it, but also send an important signal to our community. We’re demonstrating our commitment to creating and improving on our public transit infrastructure which supports a strong regional economy. When we provide excellent infrastructure through public transit, this reliable transportation becomes a desirable way to get to and from jobs, school and entertainment both in the suburbs and in the city. That in turn, provides fuel for our regional economy.”
“All the improvements to the Lombard station enhance the safety of the commuters and overall railroad operations by allowing concurrent freight and passenger train operation, which improves the overall flow of train traffic,” said Wes Lujan, Union Pacific’s assistant vice president, Government Affairs – Illinois.
The work includes an $8.1 million contract with John Burns Construction of Orland Park for the new pedestrian tunnel, retaining walls, ADA ramps, stairways, platform shelters, canopies over both inbound and outbound platforms, landscaping, and other ancillary items for the station.
That contract has been funded from a variety of sources:
- Metra: $3.8 million.
- Union Pacific Railroad: $3.3 million.
- Illinois Commerce Commission: $750,000.
- Village of Lombard $300,000 (for architectural enhancements to the tunnel, including lighting and floor, wall and ceiling finishes).
The work is expected to take about 10 months.
Under a separate project, the platforms also will be reconstructed, at an estimated cost of $1.6 million. Some of that work will be done in conjunction with the tunnel project.
The station will remain open during construction, and all work will be staged to minimize the disruption to riders. About 1,300 riders use the Lombard Station each weekday.
The tunnel is a component of a multi-million dollar Metra/UP project that is designed to improve the flow of commuter and freight traffic on the heavily used line. Another component was the installation of the “Another Train Warning System” at eight stations along the line. That system uses audible and visual alerts to warn pedestrians at crossings near the stations that another train – in addition to the one that is stopped at the station – is approaching or present.
Other grade crossing protections include new paths that safely guide pedestrians to a gated crossing, more pedestrian gates and more inter-track fencing to discourage pedestrians from crossing at unsafe and unauthorized locations.