Future Auburn-Gresham Metra Station Goes Out To Bid

CHICAGO – A proposed train station for Auburn Park took one step closer to reality when Metra put the project out to bid, improving access to transportation and jobs throughout the region for South Side residents. The new station will be built on the Rock Island line in the Auburn-Gresham community.

“We are pleased to take this significant step towards making this new station a reality for the residents of the Auburn Gresham area,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski in a news release. “Once again, we must thank Sen. Jacqueline Collins for spearheading this project and keeping it on track – she is truly a passionate and tireless advocate for her constituents.”

The fully accessible station at 79th Street will feature:

• A large landscaped plaza with bicycle racks, benches, trees, and canopy
• A new vendor building with glass storefronts and a bright, open atmosphere
• A living green wall along the existing retaining wall
• A staircase and two elevators between the street and platform levels
• A 480-foot-long platform with a bright, polycarbonate canopy to provide shelter
• A snow melt system that will keep the platform clear without the need for deicing chemicals
• A new 80-space parking lot featuring a kiss-n-ride drop-off area, landscaped islands, trees, and a decorative fence to screen the lot from neighboring homes
• Roadway improvements to provide vehicular access to the station

A networking event for “Disadvantage Business Enterprise” firms as well as prime construction firms interested in bidding on the project are invited to attend a pre-bid meeting from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 25, at Metra's 49th Street Training Center, at 147 W. 47th St., Chicago.

To assure social distancing, attendance is being limited to 50 participants. Register for this event at Auburn Park Station Project. All participants are required to wear a mask. For more information please contact Arsenio Pomales, Senior Community Liaison at apomales@metrarr.com.