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Naperville Metra station set for year’s worth of repairs

Naperville’s Metra commuters may need to adjust their schedules or find new parking spaces for the next year or so.

Beginning April 11 and lasting through the summer of 2012, Metra will be removing the north and south platforms at the Naperville Metra station, 105 E. Fourth Ave., and replacing them with precast concrete panels. The deck of the railroad bridge over Washington Street will also be reconstructed.

City officials expect the first phase of the four-stage project to eliminate as many as 25 parking spaces in the Burlington commuter lot. Parking will be made available at Water Tower West parking lot at the southeast corner of Loomis Street and Fifth Avenue to offset spaces lost during construction.

Metra spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet said the platform has deteriorated from everyday wear and tear and weather.

“Naperville is the second-busiest station in our entire system so it takes some abuse,” Pardonnet said. “Some customers have also complained the surface is no longer smooth or completely level in some areas.”

Pardonnet said the renovation is “a large construction project” that will impact commuters, residents and businesses located around the Naperville Metra station.

Pedestrians will be directed to alternate routes as the deck of the bridge over Washington Street is closed. Bicycle parking is expected to be affected during various phases of this project.

As updated parking and traffic plans become available, they will be posted on the city’s website at naperville.il.us/metraplatform.aspx.

  The Naperville train station platform, the second busiest on MetraÂ’s system, has been deteriorating from wear and tear and will be refurbished this Spring. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com