Governor Quinn Announces New Metra Station on Chicago's South Side

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $21.5 million investment to build a new 79th Street Metra station in Chicago's Auburn Park-Gresham neighborhood. The new station will improve the ridership experience on the Rock Island District Line and provide better accessibility for passengers. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda create jobs and build a 21st century infrastructure that will drive Illinois' economy forward.

"We need to ensure residents and visitors on the South Side of Chicago have every opportunity to ride the Metra," Governor Quinn said. "This new station will be accessible to everyone and make it easier to live and work in the Chicago area. The project will also improve our transportation infrastructure, reduce congestion on our highways and create jobs."

The new Auburn Park Station at 79th Street will increase transit accessibility and commuter ridership for the neighborhood and help reduce congestion on the nearby Dan Ryan Expressway. The project will include two eight-car asphalt platforms, platform lighting, elevator access to the platforms, heated stairs and ramps, sheltered passenger warming facilities on both platforms and two stair and elevator operation towers.

The work will also involve track improvements, retaining wall and viaduct improvements, visual information and station signs, an entry plaza with landscaping, bicycle parking facilities and a parking lot with a "kiss and ride" area. Ground will be broken on the 79th Street Station project in early 2016.

"This new station, located in an underserved community and an untapped market, will deliver the benefit other communities with Metra stops have long enjoyed: efficient commuter service that revitalizes businesses and neighborhoods," State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago) said. "The 79th Street line is the city's most traveled bus route, and the Auburn Park Metra station will directly connect this vital transit artery to points north, south and west."

The 79th Street Station project is part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.