Mount Prospect considering moving Metra station

Mount Prospect is looking at relocating its Metra station in an effort to improve traffic flow in the downtown.

At Wednesday's committee of the whole meeting, the board discussed relocating the station so that the railroad gates at the Route 83 crossing would be released while passengers are loading and unloading. This would increase the efficiency of the traffic signal there.

Peter Wojtkiewicz, director of traffic signal operations with Sam Schwartz Engineering, which conducted a study of downtown intersections for the village, said trains run by Metra during peak times are as much as 1,080 feet long. As a result, trains block the Route 83 crossing while dropping off or picking up passengers.

He said a relocation to the east probably would allow more space than one to the west.

Trustee Paul Hoefert wondered about the possibility of creating a crossing at Maple Street in connection with development east of Emerson Street. Mayor Arlene Juracek added that "one crossing that keeps coming up is Pine Street, too." She also noted issues with the Metra parking lot, used for cruise nights in the summer, adding "you can't get across the tracks anywhere west of 83 all the way to Central."

Once the village determines a new location, officials will need to coordinate with the Union Pacific, which will be the key decision-making agency.