Overflow commuter lot in Geneva to close indefinitely

The Route 31 overflow commuter parking lot in Geneva will be closed indefinitely starting Friday as part of the upcoming Union Pacific Third Main Line project.

City officials said the daily fee commuter lot, located off the state highway just south of the UP-West line bridge, will be used as a construction staging area by Union Pacific. The parking lot will remain unavailable throughout construction.

Union Pacific is planning to build a third railroad line south of the current tracks spanning from Peck Road in Geneva to West Chicago. The project is anticipated to begin in 2023, but the city is waiting to hear an official start date. Work is expected to take 18 to 24 months.

The project will require the temporary closure of the Western Avenue and the Third Street grade crossings as well as the Route 31 underpass to traffic. The closures will be staggered, so only one crossing will be affected at a given time.