The west side of the Homewood train station is now accessible for all, thanks to a $15 million renovation project by Amtrak.
Area elected officials, Amtrak officials and CN and Metra railway officials gathered on Saturday, June 25, to celebrate the completion and opening of the renovated facilities.
The project included renovations in the station building, a rebuilt platform and a ramp that allows passengers with mobility challenges an alternative to the steep stairway that formerly was the only way to get to the platform from the west side.
Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld thanked Amtrak for completing the project and noted the need for it.
“For too long we’ve seen Amtrak passengers struggle with their baggage and wheelchairs, trying to get up and down those stairs,” he said. “This solves it. Amtrak, great project.”
David Handera, Amtrak vice president of stations, properties and accessibility acknowledged that Amtrak has accessibility issues to address and lauded the progress the Homewood station represents. He said the company had invested $126 million in the past year making more stations accessible.
“Accessibility is important to Amtrak. We have 525 stations. Right now 168 are accessible. We have a long way to go,” he said. “Homewood is fully accessible.”
He said the Homewood station improvements were the biggest single project so far. He said the project is important to him personally, too.
“I have so many family members that could not use this station. They can now,” he said. “I know someday I’m going to need that ramp. This is not just for those who have a disability today. This is for the future.”
He and Hofeld thanked the many people with the railroad and the village who helped make the project possible. Handera gave a special nod to U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-2nd, who was present to help cut the ribbon marking the station opening.
“It’s wonderful to be here and to see this project complete,” she said. “It’s very important that we make sure people who have accessibility needs that we accommodate our citizens. This just shows what collaborative efforts between different levels of government can do.”
Following the ribbon cutting, Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari gave a tour of the facility improvements.