Will Oswego Get A Metra Station?

OSWEGO, IL — On the basis of the growing population and travel demand in the area, Metra is considering extending its commuter rail service into Kendall County, and one of its proposed stations will be in Oswego.

The Kendall Extension Study is examining the feasibility of extending the BNSF commuter rail line beyond the existing end of the line in Aurora. This study is looking at new outlying yard locations in addition to new commuter rail stations at Montgomery, Oswego, Yorkville, Plano and Sandwich.

The Kendall Extension Study Project Team, in coordination with Metra, is inviting residents to learn more about the study results including the environmental analysis, ridership analysis, the station and yard designs and the cost and funding options. The study estimates that this project will cost approximately $400 million to $700 million to construct the extension stations and required yard and infrastructure improvements. An additional $6 to $14 million annually would be needed for operations and maintenance of the extension.

The virtual open house meeting will be held via Zoom from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday. To join, click here. People are also encouraged to submit questions and queries before the by 5 p.m. on Tuesday to KendallExtension@metrarr.com.

According to the Metra website, the study is funded through previously secured federal earmarked funds that are only eligible for use on this effort. The results of this analysis will provide information to local municipalities and governments, so they can make decisions about how to proceed. New local funding will be needed to design, construct, operate and maintain the extension.

The website also states that extending commuter rail service to Kendall County, beyond the six-county Regional Transportation Authority service area, would require approval from BNSF, RTA and Metra. It may also require potential changes in state law.

The study began in summer 2019 and the first round of Open Houses was held in December 2019. The open houses provided an opportunity for the public to learn about the overall project, including the study elements and station site options and to pose questions to project staff. A final survey will be available after the meeting Wednesday and will close March 24.

For more information, visit here.

For more news and information like this, subscribe to the Oswego Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. Don't forget to like us on Facebook!