Metra debuts pedestrian tunnel at Lombard Station

A newly constructed pedestrian tunnel at Metra's Lombard Station along the Union Pacific West Line is slated to open Wednesday.

As a result, the mid-platform pedestrian crossing will be closed to increase pedestrian and commuter safety at the station, Metra officials said in a press release.

Additional work needs to be completed to make the station accessible to people with disabilities. Those upgrades are slated to be finished in about two weeks, Metra officials said.

The tunnel is the main part of a $9.7 million project at station, which also includes rebuilt platforms and new platform canopies. Remaining work is expected to be completed in late summer.

Metra awarded John Burns Construction of Orland Park, Ill., an $8.1 million contract to build the tunnel, retaining walls, ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, stairways, platform shelters and other upgrades.

Under a separate project, Union Pacific Railroad is reconstructing the platforms for $1.6 million, Metra officials said.

The tunnel also is part of a larger multi-million dollar Metra/UP project aimed at improving the flow of commuter- and freight-rail traffic along the UP West Line. That project also called for installation of an audible-and-visual-alert warning system at eight stations.