Amtrak and its partners select Arup to design Chicago Union Station

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

The restoration of Chicago Union Station has taken a significant step forward, as Amtrak, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago area transportation leaders from Metra, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced plans to begin the next phase of planning, historic review and preliminary engineering for the historic transportation hub.

 

Arup has been selected and will bring international and regional experience in the design and renovation of transportation infrastructure, to the Union Station project.

“Chicago Union Station is an enormous asset to Amtrak, as well as the city of Chicago,” said Stephen Gardner, Amtrak executive vice president/chief of business development.
“We are excited to begin this first phase of the efforts to improve this vibrant transportation hub, in collaboration with our partners. These efforts, combined with related efforts to advance new customer amenities and spur development of Amtrak’s historic Station Headhouse and other assets, could catapult Union Station back into its role as a central anchor of the West Loop neighborhood.”

Amtrak, and its partners are jointly funding design services for improvements to address the most immediate issues of passenger capacity, service, safety, accessibility and mobility issues in and around the station. The work on these 13 near-term (Phase 1) improvements was identified in the 2012 city-led master plan.

Arup will advance design work in a number of areas including expanded concourses and entrances, widening of platforms, ADA compliance, pedestrian passageways and issues related to ventilation.

“We are making Union Station a true transit hub and economic engine by doubling down on transportation investments that create jobs and transform neighborhoods,” Mayor Emanuel said. “Union Station provides an essential link to economic, cultural and recreational opportunities for Chicago’s residents, visitors and businesses. Modernizing Union Station is one of the ways we are working together to build a 21st century infrastructure to power Chicago’s 21st century economy.”

 

 

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