Two construction projects will be underway this summer that will impact commuters at the Old Matteson and 211th Street Metra stations. In May, the Canadian National (CN) Railroad began construction of the Matteson Connection Project, to create new four-way railroad connections between CN's north-south route and the EJ&E rail line. This construction is occurring adjacent to the Village of Park Forest's commuter parking lot located on North Street in Matteson. When the connection is complete, the Park Forest commuter lot will have a large, reconfigured "kiss and ride area." A new pedestrian ramp and stairway, from the parking lot to the station, and an updated parking fare collection system are also included in the plans.
Traffic will enter and exit the finished lot at the current locations, but the new kiss and ride access will be from Homan Avenue, just south of Hickory Street and the Old Plank Road Trail. The reconfigured parking lot will have room for 586 vehicles, including 14 handicap parking stalls, and it will provide new bicycle lockers. The new lot will also feature a large retaining wall, which the Village intends to use for a future mural honoring the rail history of our area. The Matteson Connection Project also includes a continuously updated Electronic Message Board located at a yet to be determined off-site location to indicate how many remaining parking spots are available at all times.
During construction, pedestrian traffic is re-routed to the ramp from the existing kiss and ride area. Construction updates are posted at the construction office on-site and on the CN web site (http://ejeupdates.cn.ca/village-park-forest) for the duration of this project. The current phase of this project, which includes all the improvements described above, is expected to conclude this fall. Construction on the four-way railroad connection will continue into 2011 but the impact on commuters is expected to be minimal.
Beginning in July, Metra is expected to begin reconstruction of the station platform and warming shelters at the 211th Street Station. This construction will be phased to allow one-half of the station to remain open while the other half is under construction. The first phase of construction will result in the temporary closure of the Village of Park Forest commuter parking lot at the 211th Street Station while the south side of the station platform is under construction. Commuters who use this lot will be re-directed to the Park Forest parking lot on North Street. This phase of the project is expected to last approximately four months, at which time construction will move to the north side of the station platform and the Olympia Fields commuter parking lot will be temporarily closed.
