Metra Celebrates Safe, Accessible New Stations

Metra in Chicago and local officials recently celebrated the rehabilitation of the 79^th Street/Chatham, 87^th Street/Woodruff, and 103^rd Street/Rosemoor stations on the Metra Electric Line, work that was carried out during the last two years under the same $33.9 million contract. The last station to be completed was 87^th Street.

All three stations now have enclosed, ADA-accessible street-level entrances and lobbies with elevators; new stairs and headhouses; new composite deck platforms; and new lighting and signage. The work was part of a multiyear, multimillion-dollar plan to transform 13 stations on the line.

“We are pleased to have completed this work to create modern, accessible, comfortable, and safe new stations for our riders in these communities,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “We want to thank them for their patience and understanding while we carried out this essential work.”

The contract for the construction work at the three stations was awarded to IHC Construction of Elgin, which committed to subcontracting 30 percent of the work to DBE firms. Metra funded the work with its share of funding from the Rebuild Illinois capital program.

Similar work was already completed at the 147^th St./Sibley Blvd. and Homewood stations in 2024, and is underway at the 95^th St./Chicago State University Station. Metra is also starting work on the South Water Street entrance to Millennium Station, and work is being planned for Van Buren St., 59^th-60^th/University of Chicago, 111^th St./Pullman, Harvey Transportation Center (with Pace), Olympia Fields, and University Park.