Metra to renovate LaSalle Street Station in downtown Chicago

Metra next week will launch a $2.95 million project to renovate the LaSalle Street Station concourse in downtown Chicago.

Crews will replace the 20,000-square-foot concourse surface, as well as support pillars.

The new surface will feature granite pavers and decorative medallions. Granite is a more durable material than the current concrete surface, Metra officials said in a press release.

Work will begin March 26 and wrap up in mid-July. Blinderman Construction will perform the renovation.

The LaSalle Street Station serves as the downtown terminal for Metra's Rock Island Line to Joliet, Illinois. Built in 1993, the station is used by more than 13,000 people each weekday.

"Other than maintenance projects, it's been more than 25 years since significant improvements were made to [LaSalle's] concourse area," said Metra Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Jim Derwinski.