Fox River Grove's second Metra station opens

Fox River Grove commuters inaugurated a new Metra station that opened at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday near Northwest Highway and Lincoln Avenue.

It's the second of two Union Pacific Northwest Line stations built to serve the village. The eastern station, off Northwest Highway near Algonquin Road, was completed and occupied earlier this summer, after which construction began on the western station.

The western station includes a waiting area, bathrooms and an area for a food vendor.

A vendor will begin operating at that station once McHenry County Health Department requirements are completed, according to a village news release.

The $3.5 million project includes an expanded 640-foot platform, up from 330 feet, with enough room for an eight-car train.

Union Pacific rebuilt and extended the platforms for $1.2. Construction of the two stations and other work totaled $2.3 million. Metra funded the project with proceeds from the state bond program and other capital funds, according to the release.

For information about the stations, call village hall at (847) 639-3170.