Metra announced it joined Blue Island Mayor Fred Bilotto and other dignitaries in Blue Island to dedicate the newly rehabilitated Blue Island-Vermont Street Station depot on the Rock Island Line. 

“Events like these highlight the important role that our partners play in helping maintain Metra’s state of good repair and making our rail system one that is customer friendly, accessible, and safe,” said Metra CEO Jim Derwinski. “And in the case of this project, we were also able to preserve an important part of Blue Island’s history.” 

The ribbon-cutting marks the completion of a yearlong project to restore the masonry structure that dates to 1868.

Details of Metra's Project

The $3.7 million project included a complete interior renovation; renovation of the roof including the replacement of gutters and downspouts; the reconstruction of the original chimneys; rehabilitation of wooden eave supports; replacement of all doors and windows; custom brick replacement and masonry staining; asbestos and lead-based paint abatement; new landscaping and site improvements; sidewalk and crosswalk improvements and repairs to meet ADA compliance for accessible routes; and new wayfinding and intermodal signs.

The work was funded by the Federal Transit Administration, Metra funds, and a grant from the RTA’s Innovation, Coordination, and Enhancement (ICE) program.

IHC Construction of Elgin, which committed to meeting a DBE goal of 25%, was the primary contractor for the construction. Another $700,000 will cover construction management and flagging costs.

Located 16.4 miles from LaSalle Street Station, the Blue Island-Vermont St. Station serves as a station on the Rock Island mainline and as the southern end of the line’s Beverly Branch.

Under the current Metra schedule, the station is served by 74 trains each weekday and 33 trains on both Saturday and Sunday.