Upgrades to the east side Metra train platform in Western Spring are making progress.
Matt Supert, director of municipal services, said workers have both sides of the platform excavated and are putting in the footings and the foundation. The next step will be to add retaining walls, which should be done in early September, he said.
The work on the $3 million project was needed because the previous platform, constructed in 1965, was showing signs of age including bricks starting to fall apart and pavement cracking.
Other work will include replacement of walkways, safety enhancements and landscape improvements.
The village is using money left over from a federal surface transportation grant to pay for the work. Some of the grant funds were already used to build an underpass at Howard and Clausen avenues.
While the work, which began in the spring, is being done, commuters have access to trains from the west platform. The platform upgrades have not been a problem, some commuters say.
Dave Clark of Western Springs said his only issue is having to carry his folding bike to a car that can accomdate it, which is usually at the end of the train.
“I have to carry it a little farther,” he said.
“So far the work not been a problem,” said Mary Ellen Kastenholz of Western Springs.
Some angled parking near the platform has been temporarily closed off during construction. Supert estimated between 35 and 45 spaces are not available.
“We have restricted parking on both sides of the platform for safety,” Supert said.
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The temporary loss of parking has been felt by some businesses.
“Patients have actually canceled because they couldn’t find a parking spot,” said Joan Peters, office manager for Clarity Physical Therapy and Wellness Center.
“The loss of parking hurts us,” said Lucas Bumba, manager of the restaurant Solstice. “I don’t think it’s a secret to anyone that Western Springs struggles with parking normally. To lose half a street of parking doesn’t alleviate the situation.
An associated project involves resurfacing an 80-space commuter parking lot at Central and Grand avenues. The village received $250,000 in grant funding from the West Suburban Mass Transit District for the project. The grant covers 70 percent of costs. The village will kick in the remaining 30 percent.
Western Springs also is embarking on a downtown redevelopment plan that will include a establishment of a wayfinding system, renovation of the streetscape, creation of design guidelines, facade renovations and parking improvements.
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