Metra, Local Officials Open New Ravenswood Station

Metra and local officials officially dedicated the new Ravenswood Station on the Union Pacific North Line, following the recent opening of the rebuilt inbound side of the facility, according to the agency's news release.

The $36.1 million project completely rebuilt the station, with longer, covered platforms and warming shelters on both sides, new lighting, ramps and stairs, new landscaping, and vendor space.

The station is now fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“Metra would like to thank our riders in the Ravenswood community for their patience and understanding during this lengthy reconstruction project,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski. “It has been a long journey, but this community now has the station that it needs and deserves.”

Ravenswood Station Before and Now

The station was rebuilt in stages as part of a $167 million project to replace aging bridges along the UP North Line on the North Side of Chicago.

The outbound half was completed in 2015 as bridges for the outbound tracks over 11 streets between Grace and Balmoral were replaced, and the inbound half was completed after the inbound bridges over those same streets were replaced.

The staging was needed in order to keep two tracks open for service during construction.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Ravenswood served about 2,400 riders a day. It also has a number of reverse commuters, mandating the need for new shelters on both platforms.

The new station with its longer platforms will better serve the growing number of Ravenswood riders and improve loading times.