Construction on two Metra stations starts up again after state funding kicks in

The state capital bill is funding quite a few projects for the Chicago Transit Authority, but the money has also helped the Regional Transportation Authority begin work again on two Metra stations.

In addition to a new Metra Electric Line station planned for 95th Street, the agency will also build new stations at Auburn Park near 79th Street on the Rock Island line and the Peterson Ridge station on the Union Pacific North line.

The two stations were planned years ago, but state budget issues and cuts forced Metra to put the projects on hold, according to the transit agency. In 2017, the bond programs funding construction was cut from $1.1 billion to $835.7 million which meant pulling back on plans. But now, the state will give Metra $15 million for Peterson Ridge station and $20 million for the Auburn Park station.

In the spring, engineering plans for the Peterson Ridge station was nearly complete. Recently, 40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez said that initial construction will begin this fall. It will have 75 parking spaces and a new plaza. Construction is expected to wrap up in spring 2021.

As for the Auburn Park station, the project design was a little more than halfway complete in the spring. Now, Metra expects to finish that in 2019 with construction starting in spring 2020.