Station work complete at Racine and State

Metra crews have completed major renovation work at the State Street and Racine Avenue Stations along the Blue Island Branch of the Metra Electric Line.

 

The $272,000 project at State Street included rebuilding the existing stairs and railings, adding new stairs to the south end of the platform, installing new stringers and deck board to the platform, replacing the existing warming house, renewing the platform lighting, replacing a chain-link fence with wooden railings and associated carpentry and painting work.

 

The $230,000 project at Racine Avenue included the renewal of the platforms, adding new stairs to the south end, replacing the existing warming house and associated carpentry and painting work.

 

The work at both stations is part of Metra’s 2015 station beautification program, an annual effort to make our station environments more inviting and welcoming. All work under this program is performed by Metra employees. In some cases, the work is intended to address minor issues such as paint, concrete patching, window replacement, gutter repair and platform sealing. In others, more extensive work such as platform decking and stair replacement is performed. These issues if left unattended contribute to the deterioration of station facilities and leave a less than favorable impression on our passengers and the community as a whole.

 

“Through this program, we are working to create the best environment for our commuters so that they can feel safe, secure and comfortable while waiting for our trains,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “We think the skilled Metra craftsmen who worked on these two stations have created much more welcoming facilities for the benefit of our customers.”