The renovation of a Metra station in Morgan Park is moving forward.
The Metra board of directors approved an $8.7 million contract Wednesday to IHC Construction Companies LLC to renovate the 115th Street/Morgan Park Station. The Elgin-based general contractor is expected to begin work later this year at the station, which services the Rock Island Line.
A completion date for the project has not been set. Renovations will include the installation of a new plaza and sidewalks, in addition to resurfacing the station’s two parking areas and adding new lighting.
The contract requires IHC to use 25% of its budget to hire firms classified as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. Those firms will be Araiza Corp., Brandenburger Plumbing Inc., EOS Mechanical Inc., Pinto Construction Group Inc. and Sanchez Paving Company.
It is not yet determined if the station will temporary close during construction, as Metra often does when embarking on station upgrades.
“When possible, we try to minimize customer impact by closing one platform at a time,” said Meg Thomas-Reile, a spokeswoman for Metra. “When we get more information from the construction team, we will post information regarding any closures or restricted access through signage at the station and will also post this information under the alerts section for the Rock Island Line.”
She said the project is not part of the Metra Electric Community Initiative, which aims to renovate 13 stations.
“This project is meant to provide better facilities for our passengers, and that includes renewing the platforms,” Thomas-Reile said.
