Dedication, Underpass Opening on Tap for 80th Ave. Station on Monday

Monday marks another big day for the newly renovated 80th Avenue train station, as the pedestrian underpass open and the Village of Tinley Park, along with Metra, hold a dedication to commemorate the completion of the $11.5 million terminal.

The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26, with coffee and refreshments at the station, and the dedication will be at 10 a.m., according to a Metra press release. Officials from the village and Metra will be on hand for the ceremony.

READ: End in Sight for Work at 80th Avenue Metra Station

The opening of the pedestrian underpass, which connects the north and south parking lots and platforms, means commuters soon won't be able to the at-grade pedestrian crossing at the platforms, a village press release stated. Those crossing will close officially Saturday, Dec. 1, when Metra will install track fencing, the release added.

On the following Monday, Dec. 3, the commuter train line will start its permanent track schedule at the station, the release stated. This means all inbound trains will use the south platform, and all outbound trains will use the north platform, the release continued.

This means that commuters who park in the north lot must use the underpass to reach the south platform, and commuters who park in the south lot and exit a train on the north platform must use the underpass to reach that lot.

READ: Silence on the Rails—No More Train Horns in Tinley

The opening of the underpass also opens the door for the village institute "quiet zones" at the six railroad crossings along Metra's Rock Island corridor throughout Tinley Park, the release stated, adding that approval from the Federal Railroad Administration would be required in order for this to happen. The agency initially approved the village's quiet zone request to be implemented in July, but completion of the 80th Avenue station's underpass delayed that.

Quiet zones are areas around railroad crossings where trains are prohibited from sounding their horns, except in emergencies and other extreme cases. In these zones, the village is responsible to make sure safety measures are in place for the protection of pedestrians.

Other 80th Avenue and Train Station Stories on Tinley Park Patch:

• Diana's Kitchen Sets Up Temporary Spot at 80th Ave. Metra Station
• Tinley Trains Could Go Silent—The Gist

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