Metra’s 147th Street/Sibley Boulevard Station on the Metra Electric Line in Harvey will reopen to passengers on Monday, Oct. 28, following a more than two-year project to completely rebuild and upgrade the facility.
Passengers will be greeted by a completely new station featuring an elevator that makes it accessible to people with disabilities. The improvements extend from the street-level with a new covered staircase, a kiss & ride lane, bicycle parking, and improved pedestrian pathways, to track level with a new platform covered by a canopy and warming shelters to protect passengers from the elements.
The project is the first significant upgrade to the facility in nearly three decades. Elgin-based IHC Construction Companies LLC oversaw construction on the $20.8 million project, which was funded by the state’s Rebuild Illinois program, the Federal Transit Administration, and a Cook County Invest in Cook grant. IHC committed to subcontracting 25% of the work to minority and women-owned firms.
“Access to public transportation is an essential building block to a healthy community, and this clean, modern facility that is accessible to everyone is a welcoming gateway to the city of Harvey,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “Metra’s investment at 147th Street and our ongoing program to improve stations along the Metra Electric Line and across our system make our service more attractive and easier to use.”
Following Monday’s grand opening, Metra will host a formal ribbon-cutting with elected officials at the 147th Street/Sibley Station on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 10 a.m.
With funding from the RTA, Metra will also host a special “Metra Harvest Fest” for the Harvey community in the station’s parking lot on Saturday, Nov. 2. The free event, which will run from noon to 3 p.m., will feature music, games, activities, food trucks, and giveaways. Metra wants to thank Harvey residents for their patience during the station closure and hopes they will come out to see all the improvements and be excited to use the new facility.
