A brand new station will be built by Metra and Chicago State University on its Metra Electric line at 95th Street. The station that is there now only operates as a flag stop once in a while but after the renovation, it will run with schedules stops. Design work and engineering will begin right away to evaluate the cost of the project according to Chicago Curbed.
The project will include the following:
- A new platform
- Stair enclosure
- An elevator
- At least one on-demand heater to warm commuters waiting for trains on cold days
- The Park and Ride lot will include 119 spaces
- Handicap access
Metra has been charging from $4 to $5.50 for their fares and will be lowering the cost down to $2.50.
"We are excited to be working with Chicago State Officials to create a much improved station that will serve as a welcoming gateway to the University as well as to the Metra system."
Metra CEO & Executive Director | Jim Derwinski
Per Crain's Chicago Business, the station will be called the 95th Street/Chicago State University station and will make this a scheduled stop on the Metra Electric District line that runs from downtown's Millennium Station to University Park on the South Side.
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The $41.5 billion capital investment plan that was promised earlier this year to give state transportation projects the biggest piece of new spending, with $28.6 billion directed to those efforts, including $2.87 billion for Regional Transportation Authority work will be split between Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority.
Metra is starting work first on the stations that need handicap accessibility upgrades. There are 44 such stations among 242 total stations.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Chicago State University President Zaldwaynaka Scott spoke at a Metra board meeting last year to express concerns about the condition of the station and how badly improvements were needed. He stated that improving accessibility and security would attract business and provide multimodal transit options for the students and would create a transit-friendly environment.
