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Huntley's Amtrak station should be ready November 2015

Amtrak passenger rail service should be up and running from Huntley's downtown by November 2015, village officials said.

The village board recently approved an agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation to begin construction work. The total project cost is estimated at $3.55 million, with the state reimbursing the village roughly $2.9 million toward construction of a passenger rail station, including the platform, station building and parking lot improvements.

"This is really the kickoff of the project," Village Manager Dave Johnson said. "We've been working with IDOT for months now to get this (agreement) ready."

The village's portion of the cost - $625,000 - would cover engineering and architectural services.

The project is a boon for employers and residents of Huntley, which has no train stations.

Village leaders have been working to get passenger rail service in town for decades with the hopes that it would put Huntley on the map. It may also lead to the village getting Metra service, officials have said.

The station and platform are the most expensive elements, estimated to cost $1.75 million, Johnson said.

Per the agreement with IDOT, the platform and temporary parking are expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2015.

Gov. Pat Quinn earlier this year announced the $223 million plan to restart Amtrak passenger rail service between Chicago and Rockford. It marks the return of passenger rail to Rockford for the first time since 1981, using tracks owned by Metra and the Union Pacific Railroad.

The proposed route would use Metra's Milwaukee District-West Line and connect to the Union Pacific Railroad near Big Timber Road in Elgin. Stops are planned in Elgin, Huntley and Belvidere.

The project cost includes track, signaling and safety improvements, and a $5.85 million investment to be split between Huntley and Belvidere to develop their own stations.

Huntley's comprehensive plan identifies two sites where a future commuter station could locate - at Kreutzer Road and the Union Pacific railroad tracks just east of Route 47, and at Coyne Station Road, also along the Union Pacific tracks on the northwest side of town.

Elgin has three Metra stations: one south of Chicago Street just east of Route 31, one on National Street also east of Route 31, and one south of Big Timber Road between McLean Boulevard and Randall Road. It's not known which of the three Metra stops would serve as the city's Amtrak stop.

Elgin city leaders have said the service will spur business growth.

The Amtrak service will begin with one daily round trip between Chicago's Union Station and a temporary station in Rockford. Service will be expanded the following year and eventually continue west to Dubuque, Iowa.

New Amtrak route to run through Elgin, not McHenry

Will new Amtrak service to Rockford be a boon?

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