Gov. J.B. Pritzker was among those on hand at Wednesday’s groundbreaking for a new Metra station in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
“Auburn Gresham is getting a new, fully accessible Metra station here at 79th Street and Lowe Avenue,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker said the new stop along Metra’s Rock Island line will not only improve access to transportation throughout the region, but also support economic development in the South Side community.
“We’re bringing visitors to sites that they want to see,” Pritzker said. “It’s positive change, and I’m proud to support it here and all across the state of Illinois.”
The $28.2 million project includes a vendor building, an 84-space parking lot, and a large, landscaped plaza.
“This is going to be one of the most beautiful gateways on the entire Metra system when it’s completed,” Metra CEO and Executive Director Jim Derwinski said.
State officials awarded the contract for the new station and parking facility to John Burns Construction of Orland Park. According to a press release, Burns committed to allocating 38 percent of the contract dollars to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms.
Construction is expected to take about two-and-a-half years.
Related
Related
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!