Joined by a variety of officials who helped make it possible, Metra today officially broke ground on a $56 million project to rehabilitate and expand the 95th St./Chicago State University Station on the Metra Electric Line, with a goal of improving the station’s accessibility and its connection to the university.
“This is an opportunity to grow our relationship with Chicago State University and build a station that is a welcoming and comfortable gateway to the school and to our system,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski. “We want to thank the federal, state, and local officials whose steadfast support for this project got us where we are today.”
“This is an exciting project for Chicago State and the Southeast Side. The partnership between Metra and Chicago State will bring safe and equitable transit access to our community,” said Z Scott, President of Chicago State University. “Bringing attention to the need for and importance of an updated Metra station was one of the first initiatives of my tenure at Chicago State. This groundbreaking marks years of hard work and dedication from all those involved.”
“No matter their zip code, all Chicagoans deserve reliable and accessible public transit to get to school, get to work and more easily move throughout Chicagoland,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth, who co-sponsored the federal All Stations Accessibility Program, which is helping to fund the rehabilitation. “As construction begins to modernize this station — including critical ADA upgrades to support all riders — I’m proud to help secure federal support for this vital project on Chicago’s South Side. I’ll keep working with our local leaders and the Illinois congressional delegation to make public transportation more efficient, safe and accessible for all of Chicago.”
The project, awarded to John Burns Construction of Westmont, includes the replacement of the existing headhouse, platform and stairs; construction of a new street-level entrance on 95th St. with a new storefront, enclosed entrance area, and a new elevator; construction of a new platform with full-length canopy; construction of a new CSU campus headhouse; and a walkway and bike lane that connects to a new commuter parking lot and new tunnel entrance.
The station was closed in March for construction, which is expected to be completed in late 2027.
The 95th Street/CSU Station is one of several Metra Electric Line stations being renovated as part of a multiyear, multimillion-dollar effort to improve and make accessible stations along the line. Work has been completed at the 79th Street/Chatham, 103rd Street/Rosemoor, 147th Street/Sibley and Homewood stations, and work is ongoing at the 87th Street/Woodruff Station.
