CHICAGO — Metra’s board of directors has awarded a $14.5 million contract to renovate its portion of the Metra Electric District station at Homewood, Ill., which has already seen significant improvements by Amtrak for its portion of the shared structure.
The contract includes construction of a new headhouse, including an ADA-accessible ramp, platform renovation, improvements to a pedestrian tunnel dating to 1911, replacement of an elevator connecting the tunnel and platform, and construction of a new transit bus facility.
“This project represents a significant upgrade to the Homewood station and its pedestrian tunnel,” Metra CEO Jim Derwinski said in a press release. “It will not only create a more welcoming, more accessible station and tunnel for Metra and Amtrak customers, but also a more welcoming gateway for Homewood’s downtown retail district and residential areas.”
The contract was awarded to IHC Construction of Elgin, Ill. Work is scheduled to begin next spring and take about 24 months.
Amtrak and local officials celebrated the opening of the rebuilt Amtrak portion of the facility in June, a $15 million project including renovation of the historic Illinois Central facility with new restrooms, lighting, and utilities and addition of a ramp to replace stairs [see “Amtrak, local officials dedicate fully accessible Homewood, Ill., station,” Trains News Wire, June 26, 2022].
