The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) yesterday announced the award of a $20 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant to fund the Harvey Transportation Center reconstruction project in Harvey, IL. Once complete, it will offer a significant upgrade for public transit riders in the south suburbs. The project is a partnership between Pace, Metra, and the City of Harvey.
“This is a great day for Pace, Metra, and the City of Harvey. More importantly, it’s a great day for those we serve. The $20 million USDOT RAISE grant announced today, along with the $8 million in funding provided by the Rebuild Illinois bill, will allow us to reconstruct Pace’s Harvey Transportation Center into an exceptional new intermodal facility that will simplify transfers, create a better passenger experience, and boost economic growth in the City of Harvey. None of this would be possible without our strong partnerships, especially with Metra and the City of Harvey. We are grateful to USDOT and all who helped with letters of support,” said Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger.
The existing Pace Harvey Transportation Center handles more Pace bus boardings than any other single location in the six-county northeastern Illinois region, so it is critical that these thousands of daily riders are provided a modern and comfortable facility. The funding will be used to improve the bus passenger waiting area which will be re-built adjacent to the Harvey Metra Electric station.
The project will ensure safer and easier transfers between Pace buses and Metra trains, offer passenger restrooms, an interior waiting area, a new retail space, 14 bus bays (up from the current 10), better weather protection for pedestrians, an expanded kiss-n-ride area, and a consolidated commuter parking lot. The entire facility will be accessible to people with disabilities and have a dedicated area for ADA paratransit vehicles.
The Metra portion of the project will include the rehabilitation of its Harvey Station to better integrate the station to Pace’s facility. The improvements will include a new station entrance, new platform headhouses and waiting areas, new elevators, an expanded platform with canopy, new parking with a kiss-and-ride lane, and new lighting, signs, and other amenities.
“Metra is excited that this RAISE grant will help create a modern and comfortable transfer facility for the benefit of both Pace and Metra riders,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “We are grateful to our federal representatives and the Department of Transportation for backing this importance project.”
The improved Pace transit center benefits some of Illinois’s most historically disadvantaged communities and thus meets the standard in the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative. The project reflects an intentionally inclusive economic investment through both the creation of new construction jobs and a vastly improved facility. The project also helps reduce vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions by providing a more attractive public transportation option as an alternative to driving.
“My administration is focused on building and maintaining relationships that fosters growth in the City of Harvey. The historic collaboration of Metra and Pace will make a significant impact on the lives, infrastructure, and future City developments. This $20 million dollar investment improves the quality of life for residents that deserve to live in a city for which they can be proud. It demonstrates that change is truly possible when everyone is working together. We look forward to more of it.” said Mayor Christopher J. Clark.
This 20-year-old facility is already served by low emission compressed natural gas buses and includes new technology such as real-time Bus Tracker infrastructure. These capital improvements, which are a top priority for Pace, will further enhance the current service provided and will accommodate the planned I-294 express and Pulse rapid transit routes.