Metra breaks ground on Fox River Grove station, reveals design of Healy Station

Chicago-area's Metra broke ground on the reconstruction of the Fox River Grove Station on the Union Pacific Northwest Line. The $3.5-million project calls for the complete reconstruction of the station, which dates from 1959.

Work includes:

• Replacement of the existing warming shelter with a larger shelter that will include vendor space and bathrooms

• Construction of a secondary warming shelter on the east end of the station

• The reconstruction and extension of the platforms to 640 feet from 330 feet, enough for an eight-car train

• The repaving and restriping of the existing parking lot

• The installation of LED lighting on the platforms and parking lot

Union Pacific is rebuilding and extending the platforms, which will cost about $1.2 million. That work has already begun. Path Construction of Arlington Heights was awarded a $2.3-million contract to do the remaining work. The project should be complete in about one year and the station will remain open during the work.

Metra is paying for the work with proceeds from the state bond program and other capital funds; Fox River Grove is contributing $82,400 to cover the upgrade to LED lights and parking lot work.

Metra also unveiled the design for the reconstruction of the Healy Station on the Milwaukee North Line.

The new station will include:

• A rehabilitated inbound headhouse

• The addition of a ramp to the outbound platform from Fullerton

• The removal of a pedestrian crossing between platforms

• The relocation of the outbound shelter and stairs to provide greater street visibility

• Stripping and painting the nearby railroad bridge girders, deck and viaduct columns

The design of the project, which was funded by the state bond program, is nearly complete. When construction dollars are secured, the work will take about one year and cost an estimated $4 million.