Metra and MBTA each celebrated a major station improvement project that modernized facilities, enhanced accessibility, and delivered long-term benefits for commuters in Chicago and Massachusetts. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Metra and MBTA each celebrated a major station improvement project that modernized facilities, enhanced accessibility, and delivered long-term benefits for commuters in Chicago and Massachusetts.
Photo – Metra

Metra Completes Grayland Station Redevelopment

Metra unveiled a $39.5 million upgrade to Grayland Station alongside the replacement of a 125-year-old bridge over Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago. The bridge, built in 1899, had caused delays and limited rail efficiency.

Don’t miss…Fatigue Risk Management Guideline for Safer Rail Operations

The new span supports Metra, Amtrak, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, and Wisconsin Southern Railroad operations without bottlenecks. Grayland Station now has longer platforms, ADA-compliant ramps, on-demand heated shelters, and an advanced public-address system with visual displays.

Funding sources included $16.5 million from the Federal Transit Administration, $17.8 million from the Federal Railroad Administration, $2.3 million from CPKC, and $2.9 million from Metra itself.

MBTA Finishes Natick Center Station Upgrades

In Massachusetts, the MBTA modernized Natick Center Station on the Framingham/Worcester line with full-length, high-level platforms for faster, accessible boarding. Crews also installed elevators, rebuilt a pedestrian bridge, and improved station security systems.

Track work included replacing 1,440 feet of rail and 1,160 ties to improve reliability. MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng highlighted the project as part of a wider plan to upgrade transit infrastructure and deliver modern service.

These two projects demonstrate how strategic investments in station facilities can address aging infrastructure, improve accessibility, and enhance service reliability. They also show how federal, local, and corporate funding partnerships accelerate modernization.

Source: www.progressiverailroading.com

FAQ

What improvements were made to Grayland Station?

Metra upgraded Grayland Station with longer platforms, ADA-compliant ramps, heated shelters, and a new public-address system. Details are available at Metra’s official site.

How does the MBTA’s Natick Center Station project benefit riders?

The station now features high-level platforms, elevators, a new pedestrian bridge, and better security systems. More details are on MBTA’s official page.

Can federal funds be used for station modernization?

Yes. Both Metra and MBTA projects combined federal, corporate, and local funds to complete their upgrades successfully.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Don’t miss…Amtrak Mardi Gras Service Brings New Station Host Program

Find the latest news of the railway industry in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the rest of the world on our page on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, read Railway Supply magazine online.

Place your ads on webportal and in Railway Supply magazine. Detailed information is in Railway Supply media kit