Metra service for Kendall County? Plans are topic for Wednesday virtual open house

Kendall County area residents are invited to participate in a virtual open house over plans for the potential extension of Metra commuter rail service into the county from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 10.

Metra and its consultants have scheduled the open house to allow the public to learn about the study, view exhibits and provide comments. After a series of brief presentations, project staff members will also be available to answer questions.

Residents can join the open house by clicking here or by dialing 312-626-6799 and use meeting ID 883 4165 2795 when prompted.

According to Metra’s Kendall County extension website at metrarail.com/kendallextension, after the initial presentations, participants will be given the option to join breakout rooms concerning specific study topics. They will also be able to join question and answer sessions by submitting questions in writing through Zoom’s chat feature, which will be answered live by the project team. Individuals may also submit written questions and comments before the virtual open house by 5 p.m. on March 9. Written questions and comments are also welcomed after the open house, until March 24. Written questions and comments to KendallExtension@metrarr.com or by completing one of the following forms:

Metra and its consultants are studying the feasibility of extending commuter rail service from its current terminus at the downtown Aurora station southwest on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway’s main line tracks into Kendall County. Potential station sites have been identified in Montgomery, Oswego, Yorkville, Plano and Sandwich in DeKalb County.

According to Metra, the current study includes an analysis of the station site options, potential environmental impacts, projected ridership and costs, and funding considerations.

“The results of this analysis will provide information to local municipalities and governments so they can make decisions about how to proceed,” Metra officials said in a statement.

Also in the statement, Metra officials said new local funding will be needed to design, construct, operate and maintain the extension--if it is built.

They added, “It is also important to note that extending commuter rail service to Kendall County, which is beyond the six-county Regional Transportation Authority service area, would require approval from the BNSF, RTA and Metra. It may also require potential changes in state law.”

The ridership projections that will be presented during Wednesday’s open house will not reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to MIchael Gillis, Metra’s director of communications. Metra’s ridership plummeted at the onset of the pandemic last spring and has yet to recover.

“Since the ridership estimates were long-term (year 2050), the range to be presented at the (virtual) meeting does not reflect the short-term impacts of COVID,” Gillis said in an email.

A copy of the presentation and survey will be placed on the project’s website at for anyone who is unable to participate March 10.