R-58-09 Increased Service to Metra Heritage Corridor LineRESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR INCREASED SERVICE
TO THE METRA HERITAGE CORRIDOR LINE
WHEREAS, in its history, Metra has accomplished much; in its future, there is much for Metra to do; and
WHEREAS, Metra remains committed to working with all of its stakeholders in order to ensure funding for
Metra to meet the transportation needs of the region now and as it moves further into the 21st century; and
WHEREAS, over the past 25+ years, Metra has invested more than $5 billion in improvements to the system,
including new and /or rehabilitated rolling stock, renovated track and structures, modernized signal and communication
systems, upgraded electrical systems and support facilities, and new stations and parking; and
WHEREAS, of the eleven service corridors currently served by Metra, the Heritage Corridor has, by far, the
lowest level of service. The Heritage Corridor line has 37.2 route miles, 6 trains, and an average daily ridership of 2,900 on
weekdays; and
WHEREAS, the last service improvement on the Heritage Corridor took place over a decade ago, when a third
weekday rush hour frequency was added in April of 1999; and
WHEREAS, over the past decade, Metra has added a new service corridor, extended existing service corridors
and increased train frequency and capacity on almost all of it's other lines; and
WHEREAS, in the RTA's "Moving Beyond Congestion Strategic Plan" (final report dated February 8, 2007;
page 115), the RTA calls for the following Metra Heritage Corridor Service Improvements: Future plans include
upgrading the infrastructure, signals and rail -to -rail grade crossings on the Heritage Corridor. The improvements will
provide for more frequent peak and off -peak service on the Heritage Corridor Line. "; and
WHEREAS, there is tremendous local support to improve the availability, frequency and reliability of
intercity passenger trains along the Heritage Corridor; and
WHEREAS, the communities along the Heritage Corridor, feel strongly that added train frequencies for our
residents are long overdue. We have witnessed the private sector transit- oriented development take place in other
communities that have mid -day and weekend Metra service; it is essential for the well -being of our communities that
we be afforded comparable service; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE BOARD OF THE
VILLAGE OF LEMONT, COOK, WILL & Du PAGE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS that we call on the RTA to give the
Heritage Corridor the highest priority, as the RTA evaluates service levels, budgeting, capital programming, long -range
planning and strategic service expansion; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call on the RTA to establish a fourth morning and evening rush -
hour train for the Heritage Corridor; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call on the RTA to provide Mid -day service on weekdays for the
Heritage Corridor; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call on the RTA to provide Saturday service for the Heritage
Corridor; and
BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call on the RTA to establish a new stop in Romeoville for
the Heritage Corridor.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
VILLAGE OF LEMONT, COOK, WILL AND DU PAGE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS on this 28th
Day of September, 2009.
Debby Blatzer
Paul Chialdikas
Clifford Miklos
Rick Sniegowski
Ronald Stapleton
Jeanette Virgilio
Atte
AYES NAYS PASSED ABSENT
ARLENE SMOLLEN, Village Clerk
BRIAN K. REAVES, Village President