Durbin, Lightfoot among those in support of Union Station renovation project

Massive renovation project announced for Chicago's Union Station

Sen. Dick Durbin, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and regional transportation leaders joined together at Chicago Union Station Thursday to announce a broad coalition of leaders in support of the Chicago Union Station Access Project.

CHICAGO - Sen. Dick Durbin, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and regional transportation leaders joined together at Chicago's Union Station Thursday to announce a broad coalition of leaders in support of the "Chicago Union Station Access Project."

The $418 million project is a joint effort by Amtrak, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the City of Chicago, Metra, Cook County and Michigan’s Department of Transportation, officials said.

The project partners applied for $251 million in federal funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s new MEGA grant program.

The program provides federal funding for large projects of regional significance.

"The goal is very obvious. We have got to make sure that we improve access to the station, increase on-time performance and if you've ever waited for an Amtrak train in this station, and I have many, many times, you know the mob scene that ensues before the train is boarded. We are going to modernize this station," said Sen. Dick Durbin.

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Union Station was built in 1925.

It took 10 years to construct the building, and it is the fourth-busiest terminal in the country.