Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Amtrak, Metra and the RTA announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Build America Bureau and the City are entering into an Emerging Projects Agreement (EmPA), under which Chicago can work closely with USDOT with the ultimate goal of seeking up to USD 1 billion in federal funding for the modernisation of Chicago Union Station.
The EmPA allows USDOT to offer enhanced technical assistance on complex, large scale projects seeking low-cost federal credit through the Build America Bureau’s innovative programs, including TIFIA (Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act) Program and RRIF (Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing).
The EmPA announcement comes as the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is working with Amtrak, Metra, the RTA and the Illinois Department of Transportation on the design of near term improvements that will upgrade passenger capacity by renovating and expanding the concourse and platforms.
The Union Station Redevelopment plans envision a public-private partnership to implement both transport-related improvements as well as transit-oriented developments surrounding the station.
The main goals of the project involve the expansion and renovation of the station in order to allow a growing number of passengers. Under the project, the station will become a vibrant commercial center.
“This modernization effort will improve the experience for everyone who travels through Union Station and tap the potential that the station has to serve as an anchor for further economic development of the West Loop and surrounding neighborhoods,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said.
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