Metra joined with Lake County officials and U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider today to mark the opening of a new warming house at its Prairie Crossing Station on the Milwaukee District North Line.
The $1.2 million project included the replacement of a temporary passenger waiting area with a permanent warming house. The new 480-square-foot masonry structure is fully enclosed and features decorative stonework and a wooden truss ceiling. The shelter is also equipped with a heating system and interior and exterior lighting.
“The new shelter makes the station more attractive but more importantly provides a safe and more comfortable waiting area that better serves existing riders and can attract new ones,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski.
The project also included improvements to the station area with new sidewalk connections from the warming house to the parking area and train platform as well as signage, landscaping, benches and other site furnishings.
This project was funded with federal capital dollars provided to Metra and allocated for station improvements. Legat Architects, Inc. acted as project consultant and Chicago-based Accel Construction Services Group was the contractor.