Metra, St. Louis Metro complete station renovation projects

Metra and the Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District (St. Louis Metro) have each completed renovations to stations in its respective areas to improve transit access for residents. 

Metra  

Metra has completed the Homewood Station project, marking an end to a 20-month-long, $21 million project to completely rebuild the station facility and improve ADA accessibility. 

The station is part of an intermodal transportation facility serving Metra, Amtrak and Pace Suburban Bus customers. The project’s final stage, the eastern entrance to the Metra station, officially reopened to customers on Dec. 9.  Metra notes the project followed a significant investment by Amtrak to rehab its part of the shared facility. 

“This new facility offers a tremendous improvement to the customer experience for Metra, Pace and Amtrak riders,” said Metra Executive Director and CEO Jim Derwinski.  “It also demonstrates how cooperation from multiple entities can secure funding and create tangible benefits in our communities.” 

The revamped Homewood Station now includes an ADA-accessible east headhouse with a ramp, a renovated platform, wind breaks, warming house and gatehouse. Upgrades to the facility also included new drainage, ventilation, lighting and interior finishes in the existing tunnel and replacement of the elevator and stairs connecting the tunnel to the platform. In addition, a new Pace bus facility was created with three bus bays, a covered waiting area and driver relief facilities. 

“Homewood is excited to open the facility and reconnect the commuters to downtown Homewood,” said Homewood Village President Rich Hofeld. “While this project was being constructed, Homewood facilitated the development of several new downtown opportunities for commuters and residents to enjoy, including a new mixed use residential building, shops, eateries, new restaurants and bars just steps away from the new station. We invite commuters to stop into the downtown and explore downtown Homewood.” 

“The completion of the Homewood Station project is a significant step forward in ensuring equitable access to reliable transportation for Cook County residents,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Cook County is proud to have contributed to this transformative project and its success reflects the power of collaboration to strengthen connections across our communities.”        

Metra notes the Homewood project is part of a transformative, multiyear plan to renovate and make accessible stations on the Metra Electric Line through the Chicago South Side and south suburbs. According to Metra, the project contractor was Elgin-based IHC Construction and consultant services were provided by Muller & Muller, Ltd. IHC committed to subcontracting 30 percent of the work to disadvantaged business enterprise firms. 

The project was funded in part by a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Shared Transportation Program  grant and formula funding that totaled $13.6 million. Additional funding came from the Regional Transportation Authority of Northern Illinois, Cook County, Pace and Metra. 

“FTA is proud to support the renovation and modernization of Metra’s Homewood Intermodal Station that dates back to 1911. This investment reflects Metra’s and FTA’s commitment to improve safety, accessibility and enhanced features to make it more user-friendly,” said FTA Regional Administrator Kelley Brookins. “These improvements ensure a safer, more comfortable and efficient experience, shaping transit and serving the needs of Chicagoland commuters.” 

"This project showcases the power of collaboration in delivering modern, accessible and efficient transportation options for our region," said Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski. "The new Homewood Station and its updated Pace bus facility highlight our shared commitment to improving mobility and connectivity for those we serve." 

St. Louis Metro 

On Dec. 16, St. Louis Metro reopened the 8th & Pine MetroLink Station in downtown St. Louis. The station had been closed for several months to allow for a comprehensive rehabilitation of the 31-year-old station, including installation of new staircases, lighting, structural work and other infrastructure improvements.  

St. Louis Metro says the rehabilitation and improvement work at the 8th & Pine MetroLink Station are part of Bi-State Development’s commitment to improve the quality of life in the St. Louis region by making investments that better position the region for job creation and economic growth. The Bi-State Development is infusing nearly $2.5 billion in capital infrastructure investments within St. Louis Metro, which requires no additional funding from St. Louis County, the city of St. Louis and St. Clair County. 

The agency notes the investments also include upcoming construction work at the Convention Center MetroLink Station in downtown St. Louis, which like the 8th & Pine Station, is 31 –years old and in need of rehabilitation and improvements. St. Louis Metro will temporarily close the Convention Center MetroLink Station for several months, starting Jan. 6, 2025, for an enhancement project that includes the maintenance and repairs of station infrastructure, removal of aging escalators and new staircase construction. The project is expected to be completed with the reopening of the Convention Center Station next spring. 

St. Louis Metro will operate a Metro shuttle van to support customers traveling to or from destinations near Convention Center Station during the closure. The Metro shuttle van will operate every 25 minutes between the Civic Center and Convention Center Stations.