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Lombardians happy to see new pedestrian tunnel open

A pedestrian underpass is now open as part of a $9.7 million improvement project at Lombard's downtown Metra station.

But some of the first people to walk through it Wednesday morning were quick to notice both the tunnel and station are missing quite a few finishing touches.

Phyllis Coffin, who lives on the north side of the tracks, said she plans to use the tunnel every day. While she was excited for its opening, she is most looking forward to construction being completed later this year.

“It still needs a lot of clean up,” she said.

The tunnel, located just east of Park Avenue, has replaced a track-level pedestrian crossing that was permanently closed at 9 a.m.

Mary Ellen Lukavsky said she has run across the tracks for years and “you never really think about how it isn't that safe.”

“I'm really glad the village did this and thought of the safety of the people,” she said, adding that she believes the tunnel will especially be helpful for people living on the north side of the tracks who want to connect with the library, historical society and Lilacia Park.

Carl and Pat Shaver felt just the opposite. As residents living on the south side of the tracks, they're looking forward to bike rides through the tunnel to eat at restaurants on Park Avenue and St. Charles Road.

“I just love the idea that they don't have to have people crossing in front of the trains,” Pat Shaver said. “It's a real good thing.”

Even with the tunnel's opening, there's still plenty of work before the station's makeover is complete, including additional painting, lighting, landscaping and the installation of more canopies and shelters on the platforms.

Metra and Union Pacific each spent more than $3 million on the project. The Illinois Commerce Commission contributed about $750,000, and the village put in about $294,000, mostly toward upgraded aesthetics such as bronze medallions lining the tunnel that feature the village's logo.

Accessible ramps will not be available until July, but that didn't stop Bill Henning from venturing out to see the tunnel.

Henning, who lives north of the station, uses a walker and often takes a cab to places on the other side of the tracks. But he decided he would try to get to the library through the new underpass Wednesday, with hopes of also getting some excerise.

“I think it's very nice,” he said.

  Bill Henning of Lombard uses the new pedestrian underpass for the first time Wednesday at the Lombard train station. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
  Work continues at the new pedestrian underpass at the Lombard train station. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
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