The Chicago Union Station will receive $3 million in federal funding, awarded by the Federal Railroad Administration, to complete the design process for planned renovations to the train station's concourse level, which serves Amtrak and Metra passengers.
The federal grant will be matched with:
- $1.5 million from Metra
- $600,000 from the Chicago Department of Transportation
- $400,000 from Amtrak
- $250,000 each from IDOT and Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways
Progressive Railroading states that the $6 million concourse project will help support the growth of intercity passenger rail in the Midwest according to Jeannie Kwon, Amtrak's vice president of stations and capital delivery.
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin along with Tammy Duckworth and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the funding for the Chicago Union Station.
"Chicago Union Station has been a central transportation hub in the Midwest since its original construction in 1925. But the station must meet the needs of Metra and Amtrak passengers in the 21st century. With this federal funding, we can take the next step in Chicago Union Station's revitalization. As the nation's fourth-busiest Amtrak station, Chicago Union Station is worthy of this federal support and Illinoisans and travelers will benefit from this investment for years to come."
U.S. Senator (Illinois Democrat) | Dick Durbin
Jeannie Kwon stated that a renovated Chicago Union Station Concourse will provide:
- Increased access to jobs
- Provide new service to underserved communities
- Promote a more economic and environmentally sustainable mode of transit
The production of the final design documents will allow Amtrak to quickly secure a construction contractor to execute a high-quality design.
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Trains.com reports that actual construction would be part of a series of projects to be funded by a National Infrastructure Project Assistance, or Mega Program grant of more than $250 million being sought by Amtrak and its partners. In addition to Union Station improvements, that package of projects would address improved access to the station on some routes into the city.
