Construction on 147th Metra station to begin next month. Here's what you need to know

The Metra station on 147th Street and Sibley will be closed between 12 to 15 months while it undergoes a major renovation. HWH / Amethyst J. Davis

On May 16, construction will begin on an overhaul of one of Harvey’s Metra stations.

The Metra station at 147th Street and Sibley will be shuttered for 12 to 15 months while it undergoes a major rehabilitation, Metra officials announced Monday.

Metra officials advised riders to use the Ivanhoe station at 144th Street in Riverdale or the 154th Street station in Downtown Harvey while the project is underway.

“We understand that closing a station for any length of time can be a major inconvenience for our riders; however, the nature of the project won’t allow us to accommodate passengers during construction,” Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said. “We apologize for this short-term disruption, but we firmly believe that My Metra riders will be very pleased with the result.”

New elevators, improved lighting, and a canopy covering most of the platform are just a few of the amenities that will greet straphangers at a station that hasn’t been renovated in nearly 30 years.

The existing concrete will be replaced with a more durable, composite material. The adjacent parking lot will be renovated to include a newly paved kiss-and-ride location and bicycle parking.

Improved lighting, a new canopy, and an enclosed staircase entrance are some of the renovations coming to the station next summer after construction wraps. Courtesy of Metra

For years, commuters have complained that dim lighting makes the station a safety hazard. Graffiti lines the walls of the nearby viaduct, which is also showing severe signs of neglect. The passenger shelters are rusting after decades of wear and tear from severe weather.

The project’s total price tag is $20 million, and Elgin-based IHC Construction Companies LLC was awarded a $13 million contract and will subcontract 25% of the work with women and minority-owned businesses, according to a news release.

The remaining $7 million will cover railroad labor costs, construction management, and contingencies. The project is being funded through the state’s Rebuild Illinois program, the Federal Transit Administration, and a Cook County Invest in Cook grant.

The groundbreaking will take place next week, Metra officials told the HWH.