Officials Celebrate $29 Million Amtrak And Metra Station Project

HOMEWOOD, IL — Metra and Amtrak riders will begin to see construction at the local Homewood station. The start of the $29 million improvement to customer facilities project at the shared station were celebrated by officials on Monday.

The improvements will include full access from both sides of the tracks, tunnel, station and platform work and more, according to an Amtrak and Metra news release.

According to the release, now underway on the west side of the tracks owned by Metra and CN Railway, Amtrak is using $15 million of federal funds it receives for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to replace the stairway and augment the stairs with an enclosed ramp, allowing all customers to access the tunnel under the tracks to both the Amtrak and the Metra train platforms.

The release noted that Metra electric trains and Amtrak diesel-powered trains operate on separate tracks with different platform heights. Also including that Homewood is the Amtrak ADA project this year.

Starting in spring 2021, Metra is using $14 million primarily through the Chicago Metropolitan Agency on Planning (CMAP) and the Federal Transit Administration—including $4 million from Metra, $585,000 from the Village of Homewood and $300,000 from Cook County— to replace the existing station structure on the east side of the tracks. The release states improvements will also include renovating the existing 1911 tunnel and creating accessible paths from both ends of the tunnel.

Prior to this project, the only all-access path to the Amtrak and Metra platforms has been from the east side of the tracks, according to the release.

Included in the project, the 109-year-old tunnel will be waterproofed, provided with upgraded lighting, drainage and ventilation systems, and graffiti resistant finishes, according to the release. In addition to transit access, the tunnel also connects the community, joining the downtown retail district on the east side with the residential area and Ravisloe golf course on the west side, according to the release.

According to the release, "Amtrak is committed to fulfilling the promise and obligation of ADA. For us to truly be America’s Railroad, we must be the railroad accessible to all Americans," said Amtrak Vice President David Handera, DSL, who heads up stations and accessibility capital projects across the U.S. "Projects such as this at Homewood, once completed, open up travel opportunities for all, without barriers."

Handera added that the project in Homewood is an example of what can be done in a creative partnership where multiple parties own pieces of the facility, according to the release.

"We’re pleased to be able to move forward with the Homewood Station project with our partners at Amtrak, CMAP, Cook County and the Village," said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski, according to the release. "To truly serve a community, public transportation must be accessible to everyone and this multi-modal project will improve access for all who work and live in Homewood to Metra, Pace and Amtrak services while providing a modern and welcoming gateway to the community."

According to the release, three daily Amtrak trains typically serve Homewood and the station is ordinarily used by 54 Metra Electric District Trains on weekdays and 40 on weekend day. All Amtrak and Metra services have been temporarily reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"One of the vital roles of County government is to ensure that we support a robust transportation infrastructure," said President Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, according to the release. "This project will benefit our business community and also enhance the quality of life and economic opportunities for our residents."

Village of Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld, said these updates bring new accessibility to train riders.

"These updates will allow residents, visitors, and commuters the ability to safely and easily access the trains. We are grateful to all partners for their financial contribution for the Amtrak station’s ADA renovations," said Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld, according to the release. "The Village of Homewood is grateful to all partners for their contribution to the Amtrak and Metra station’s ADA renovations."

Further information can be viewed on Amtrak's website.