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Lombard upgrades pedestrian tunnel design

By this time next year, a tunnel under the Union Pacific West railroad in downtown Lombard won’t be just a dream, and won’t yet be a reality. It’ll be somewhere in the middle — a construction project.

Lombard village board Thursday night heard from officials with Union Pacific and Metra about a $5.5 million station improvement plan that includes a pedestrian tunnel under the tracks and wider, more accessible ramps from ground level to the platform.

“The main goal is to replace the at-grade crossing to a pedestrian tunnel, and we’re going to have some upgrades to the platform area: canopies and shelters,” said Josel Gonzalez, an architect who’s managing the Lombard station project for Metra.

The board also committed about $120,000 in village funds toward the project for an upgrade in the tunnel’s appearance and the relocation and addition of security cameras to watch over the area.

Tunnel aesthetics — improved from a plain, 12-foot wide, concrete tube to a stone-cast tunnel of the same width with a metal ceiling, LED lighting and handrails — met unanimous support from all six trustees.

“I personally love the idea. This is a project that will bring a lot of good to the town, hopefully help downtown Lombard,” Trustee Bill Ware said. “I’m all for spending for the upgrade if it’s a better project because in the long run, this will definitely be worth it.”

The tunnel will run seven feet under the tracks at Park Avenue. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2012.

Trustee Dana Moreau asked whether commuters will feel safe when walking through the tunnel at night.

Gonzalez said the tunnel and station will be well-lit, and Lombard Police Chief Ray Byrne added the area will be monitored 24 hours by 16 or more security cameras feeding to a screen at the front desk of the Lombard police station.

“I think the safety that’s presented from crossing for the train overrides any other concerns as far as safety goes, especially if we have cameras and it’s well lit,” Trustee Laura Fitzpatrick said.

Because Lombard chose to upgrade the tunnel’s design, Wesley Lujan, Union Pacific’s director of public affairs and corporate relations, said the railroad company will request the village pay for any maintenance the tunnel may need.

Village President Bill Mueller said he believes tunnel maintenance should not be the village’s financial responsibility. He voiced the most concerns about the plan overall, saying Lombard commuters have lost safety, convenience and money in past Metra and Union Pacific “improvement” projects.

“We definitely need to negotiate the maintenance of the improved tunnel,” Mueller said.