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On Monday, Metra officials and other local dignitaries marked the start of a reconstruction project at the Fox River Grove Station on the Union Pacific Railroad Northwest Line.

The $3.5 million project will involve replacement of an existing warming shelter; construction of a secondary warming shelter on the east end of the station; reconstruction and extension of the platforms from 330 feet to 640 feet to accommodate an eight-car train; repaving and restriping of the existing parking lot; and installation of LED lighting on the platforms and parking lot, Metra officials said in a prepared statement.

UP has begun rebuilding and extending the platforms, which will cost $1.2 million. Path Construction was awarded a $2.3 million contract to perform the remaining work.

The project is slated for completion in one year. The station will remain open during the work, Metra officials said.

Metra will fund the work with proceeds from a state bond program and other capital funds; Fox River Grove will contribute $82,400 to cover the upgrade to LED lights and parking lot work.

Meanwhile, state and local officials joined Metra Acting Chairman Larry Huggins and Executive Director Alex Clifford at a ceremony yesterday to unveil the design for the reconstruction of Healy Station on the Milwaukee North Line.

The project calls for a rehabilitated inbound headhouse; the addition of a ramp to the outbound platform at Fullerton; the removal of a pedestrian crossing between platforms; the relocation of the outbound shelter and stairs to provide greater street visibility; and stripping and painting the nearby rail bridge girders, deck and viaduct columns.

The design of the $4 million station is nearly complete and will be funded by the state bond program. After construction dollars are secured, the project is expected to take about a year to complete, Metra officials said.