Metra, Union Pacific Railroad, Lombard and DuPage County officials on Monday celebrated the completion of nearly $9.8 million in improvements at the Lombard Station along the UP West Line, including a new pedestrian underpass, rebuilt platforms and new platform canopies.
“It is truly a joy to be dedicating a project like this one,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “We have not only significantly boosted the appeal of the Lombard Station, but we have also significantly boosted safety here. We now have fully renovated platforms, with beautiful new canopies, and we have this sparkling new pedestrian tunnel – the safest possible way to get across a set of train tracks.”
“This new underpass provides the village with increased safety for its residents, commuters and visitors, but it also connects Downtown Lombard’s shopping district to some of Lombard’s most visited cultural and historical locations, including Lilacia Park,” said Village President Keith Giagnorio. “It’s an exciting time for Downtown Lombard, full of growth and progress, and we’re looking forward to seeing how this tunnel unites these popular destinations.”
“We are particularly glad to see the safety enhancements the Lombard pedestrian tunnel offers our citizens,” said DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin. “The improvements made here keep pedestrians further away from trains running on tracks and allow safe passage from the north to south side. We are grateful to Metra and Union Pacific for their investment and partnership on this project.”
“Safety is Union Pacific’s No. 1 priority, and we are proud to collaborate on projects such as Lombard Station that enhance commuter safety, comfort and convenience,” said Liisa Stark, assistant vice president – Public Affairs for Union Pacific. “We look forward to a continued partnership working with Metra, the Illinois Commerce Commission, the Village of Lombard and our Metra-served communities on the Union Pacific West Line to enhance safety and fluidity for both commuter and freight traffic.”
The work included an $8.1 million contract with John Burns Construction of Orland Park for the new pedestrian tunnel, retaining walls, ADA ramps, stairways, platform shelters, canopies over both inbound and outbound platforms, landscaping and other ancillary items for the station.
That contract was funded from a variety of sources:
- Metra: $3.8 million.
- Union Pacific Railroad: $3.3 million.
- Illinois Commerce Commission: $750,000.
- Village of Lombard $300,000 (for architectural enhancements to the tunnel, including lighting and floor, wall and ceiling finishes).
Under a separate project, the platforms were reconstructed, at an estimated cost of $1.6 million. Some of that work was done in conjunction with the tunnel project.
About 1,300 riders use the Lombard Station each weekday.
The tunnel is a component of a multi-million dollar Metra/UP project that is designed to improve the flow of commuter and freight traffic on the heavily used line. Another component was the installation of the “Another Train Warning System” at eight stations along the line. That system uses audible and visual alerts to warn pedestrians at crossings near the stations that another train – in addition to the one that is stopped at the station – is approaching or present.
Other grade crossing protections include new paths that safely guide pedestrians to a gated crossing, more pedestrian gates and more inter-track fencing to discourage pedestrians from crossing at unsafe and unauthorized locations.
