Durbin Announces Oak Forest and Metra to Receive DOT Funding for Station Project
[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the Illinois Department of Transportation a $1,304,400 grant for the modernization of the Oak Forest Metra Rail Station.
“Today’s funding for the Oak Forest Metra Station will increase the appeal of public transit as an affordable, reliable, environmentally friendly alternative to car travel,” said Durbin. “Bringing these changes to the station will spur economic development in Oak Forest and surrounding communities.”
Metra’s Oak Forest Station, located on two highways, Route 50(Cicero Ave.) and Route 6 (159th St), is the second busiest Rock Island District Line stop. The Oak Forest Metra Rail Station is used by nearly 1,500 commuters every day and 23 weekday commuter trains to Chicago. The current Metra Station, which Metra has identified as a priority to update, was first built fifty years ago and is outdated in regards to ADA accessibility and modern safety measures.