08/17/2011 - City of Oak Forest Receives $1.3 Million to Modernize Metra Train Station
Oak Forest, IL – The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the City of Oak Forest $1.3 million to build a new Metra train station at 159th Street and Cicero Avenue. To date, the city has accumulated more than $2 million of the estimated $3.4 million required to complete the project.
“We are extremely grateful for the widespread support we have received for this project,” said Adam Dotson, a consultant with Manhard Consulting, Ltd., who oversees the city’s community development department. “Several legislators and regional organizations have been working diligently on our behalf.”
As part of its grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the city included letters of support from Illinois State Senator Maggie Crotty, Congressman Bobby Rush, Cook County Commissioner Joan Patricia Murphy, Metra, the Regional Transportation Authority, South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association, and the Illinois Department of Transportation.
“The train station plays a very important role in welcoming commuters, residents and visitors to town,” said Manhard’s Marisa Munizzo, who serves as the city’s community development planner. “Our plan is to transform the area into a community gathering spot.”
The new train station will have significant architectural details and elongated canopies with prominent columns and integrated landscaping. It will include a warming shelter, bike parking and lockers, bathroom facilities, indoor/outdoor seated waiting areas, and a geothermal heating system – one of many environmentally friendly features.
The city’s Metra station runs between Joliet and downtown Chicago and serves approximately 1,600 weekday commuters.
