Metra and PREMIER Design + Build Group Break Ground on Renovation of South Water Street Station

October 9, 2025 (Chicago, IL)—Metra and local officials today broke ground on a project to renovate the South Water Street entrance to Millennium Station on the Metra Electric Line.

The project includes ADA improvements; new entrances with enhanced visibility at Lower South Water St.; renovation of waiting areas, public restrooms, and staff office areas; new employee facilities; replacement of staircases, canopies, and elevators; a new vendor space; new lighting, benches, signs, and station amenities; and new digital displays with train-tracking information.

“This work is part of a multimillion-dollar, multiyear effort to renovate stations along the Metra Electric Line,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski. “The goal is to create stations that are more welcoming, comfortable, functional, and safe for our customers.”

The $8.1 million contract for the renovation work was awarded to PREMIER Design + Build Group of Buffalo Grove, which committed to subcontract 25% of the work to disadvantaged business enterprise firms. The project, which is funded by money from the Federal Transit Administration and the Rebuild Illinois bond program, is expected to be completed in 2027.

Metra recently completed renovation work done under the same contract at the 79th Street/Chatham, 87th Street/Woodruff, and 103rd Street/Rosemoor stations on the Metra Electric Line. Similar work is being done at the 147th St./Sibley Blvd. and Homewood stations in 2024, and is underway at the 95th St./Chicago State University Station. Work is being planned for the Van Buren St., 59th-60th/University of Chicago, 111th St./Pullman, Harvey Transportation Center (with Pace), Olympia Fields, and University Park stations.