The Way to Really Fly!

People ask me two questions about Elburn's Metra station over and over again. Where is it located? And, will I be able to get a parking spot there?

Elburn's Metra station is being built this summer approximately one half mile east of Route 47 on the south side of the UP West Line railroad tracks.

We have made a final decision on temporary traffic access to the station. That road will be constructed entering off of Keslinger Road turning north on what will become our future Anderson Road. The location of the access road entrance itself will be just east of our Blackberry Creek water tower on the opposite side of Keslinger. In the beginning the access road will be configured as a simple two-lane rural profile asphalt road.

Metra will build an initial 300-space parking lot in conjuction with Elburn's Metra station. Based on their ridership studies, Metra anticipates that the Elburn parking lot will open with approximately 150 parking spots being utilized. Metra expects that it will take 18-36 months to completely fill this original lot with riders. There will be no permit parking at this original lot. Rather, Metra intends to work with Elburn to establish either a numbered drop box or smart card system to pay for parking at the site. A drop-off or "kiss and ride" lane will be constructed for those riders being dropped off or picked up at the station.

Also, in the beginning, there will be no bathrooms or commercial opportunities at the Elburn station. Riders intent on eliminating their first round of morning coffee will need to use the on board facilities. We anticipate commercial opportunities will develop around the station as Elburn continues to plan for transit-oriented development in the future.