What is Metra?
Metra is the commuter rail division of the Regional Transportation Authority which serves the Chicagoland area. Metra operates 11 lines and 242 stations and serves approximately 140,000 daily riders on weekdays. In 2022, Metra had a ridership of nearly 23.8 million customers.
What is the Woodstock Layover Yard project?
Metra is relocating its maintenance operations from its current in-town yards in Crystal Lake and Barrington to a new, expanded yard near Woodstock to provide increased train service to McHenry County, achieve more efficient operations, reduce maintenance and equipment replacement costs, and serve a greater number of riders.
How can the public get involved?
The project team is seeking input from the public and stakeholders within the project area and county to provide input on the purpose and need for the project, proposed design, and environmental concerns.
What is a NEPA document?
A NEPA document memorializes a comprehensive process to determine if a federal action will have significant impacts to the natural, human, and built environment and identifies commitments to avoid, mitigate, or minimize unresolved environmental issues.
Why is the NEPA process required for the project?
NEPA analyses and documentation are being prepared for this project because Metra intends to use federal funding for the project and to determine the project’s impact, if any, on the natural, human, and built environment as required by law.
Why should the public get involved?
The proposed improvements may have social, economic and/or environmental impacts. That’s why public participation is essential to project success. Metra works to engage a diverse group of stakeholders because when we create space for everyone to be heard, we can make better, more informed decisions that benefit our entire community.