Almost 6,000 individuals passing through Aurora’s Route 59 Metra train station daily — the highest ridership along Metra’s BNSF line — recently experienced enhancements to entry and exit locations, parking and safety following significant construction and renovation.
Aurora leaders recently joined regional and state level officials, elected statesmen and planning managers to officially acknowledge the culmination of the project benefiting commuters and positively impacting surrounding residential and business districts.
"Without the kind of cooperation and interaction between lots of different entities this would not have taken place,” Mayor Robert O’Connor said, thanking all the stakeholders for their participation and collaboration. “It just reinforces what can be done, and that things can happen productively with people working together."
Among supporting entities, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) administered federal funding with its initiative to improve air quality by reducing vehicle idling time.
Former Mayor Tom Weisner added that the project outcome allows commuters to retain their quality of life by being able to live close to the station while also mitigating pollution, while Public Work Director Ken Schroth explained that reconfiguring the hub has increased efficiency and safety.
CMAP Executive Director Joseph Szabo noted that long-range goals for the region also included plans for accommodating a projected increase in ridership — expected to double by 2040.
"This is important," Szabo said. “[And] improvements like this are critical to help make that happen. It's all part of our commitment to public transit by growing and improving our existing transit facilities. It's important not only to you in Aurora, but to all of us in the region."
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