Metra will be rehabing / reconstructing the Cicero & LaVergne (Berwyn) stations on the BNSF route. Also, Metra announced that the Clyde station will be closing.
Full story from the Chicago Tribune:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/west/chi-0702210034feb21,1,2501712.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
CC
The biggest problem with all three stations is/was a dearth of available parking. All three were successful only because they were located on busy feeder bus lines.
Plus, the demographics of the neighborhoods has changed drastically over the past few years.
They should also close Western Av and the dump at Congress Park.
Concerning the LaVergne renovatiion,I’d like to see an enclosed heated
facility including sanitation for Winter Rail Fanning.[:D]
Before I could drive, and before Metra we used take the train from Chicago to Clyde and check out the Q\BN engine facility. I do remember that parking was a bear at the station.
Clyde, Western, and Congress Park were all a lot busier as destinations back when there was still a lot more industry on the west side i.e. Western Electric, Ceco and Ryerson Steel. I also remember seeing a lot of U of I students get on & off at Congress Park. I haven’t seen it since they leveled everything but the tower, but I’ve heard that the Western Electric site is now a shopping mall??
Correct, it is a shopping mall. Its pretty sad if you think about it, WE was a HUGE employer, and all those jobs are gone.
Bert