Could the Arlington Heights Metra Station speak what tales would it tell? This station is more than just a place to catch a train. It is a symbol of Arlington Heights’ growth and revitalization.
Arlington Heights Metra Station stands at 45 West Northwest Highway. It sits between Vail and Dunton Avenues. The station is 22.9 miles from Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago. Harvard is 40.3 miles away.
In Metra’s fare system, Arlington Heights is in zone 3. Arlington Heights is the fifth busiest non-downtown station. In 2018 it saw an average of 2506 weekday boardings.
As of May 30 2023 sixty-two trains serve Arlington Heights on weekdays. All thirty-four trains serve it on Saturdays. All twenty-one trains serve it on Sundays. One inbound train starts from here on weekends and holidays.
Parking is available along Northwest Highway. You can also find it on the north side of the tracks. This runs from east of Walnut Avenue to Dunton Avenue. More parking exists on the south side of the tracks. This is between Vail and Dunton Avenues into Payton Run. A large parking lot is south of the track. It sits between Evergreen Avenue and Arlington Heights Road north of Sigwalt Street. A fourth lot is north of US 14. It is along Vail Avenue between St James and Fremont Streets.
Inside the station you will find a newsstand. Restrooms are available. A ticket agent staffs the station on weekday mornings.
The Arlington Heights Metra Station improved access to the train. It also improved downtown circulation. The station relocation was part of a larger downtown redevelopment. This focused on housing retail and transit projects.
The station tracks and platform were relocated in 2000. This created a pedestrian friendly station. The Village added parks and public art next to the platform. Brick paving decorative lighting and benches unified the area.
Improvements were made to parking lots. Taxi and bus pick up areas saw enhancements. A new kiss-and-ride lot was added. The relocation and enhancements cost $4474000 in 2000.
Easy access to transit became critical. It promoted downtown redevelopment. The Arlington Heights Metra Station relocation helped create four transit-oriented developments.
The Village of Arlington Heights was incorporated in 1887. It became known as the earliest commuter suburb. Trains ran daily between Arlington Heights and Chicago.
The Village explored options for improving the station. A traffic analysis revealed Arlington Heights Road was often blocked. This was due to the train platforms location. The plan called for relocating the station. The goal was to reduce traffic. It also aimed to improve north/south access.
The station moved one block west. The platforms shifted two blocks west. Rail transit became closer to Arlington’s downtown core. The project received an award for train-station design.
Six agencies provided funds for the refurbishment. These included the Village Metra and the Illinois Department of Transportation.
The Arlington Heights Metra Station is more than bricks and mortar. It is a testament to vision planning and community investment. It connects people to opportunities and to each other. The station stands as a reminder of what can be achieved. This happens when a community invests in its future.