JOHNSBURG, Ill. – Metra representatives this month will present their plan to build a train station and rail yard in the village, according to the Northwest Herald
The presentation is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at village hall, 1515 Channel Beach Ave.
Metra officials will explain the placement of the station and a 12- to 15-train rail yard they want to build north of McCullom Lake Road on the west side of the Union Pacific railroad tracks, Village President Dave Domin-guez said Friday.
“This will allow us to make people aware of Metra’s intentions,” Domin-guez said. “It will also give us an indication of some of the areas that have to be resolved.”
Officials from McHenry, Ring-wood and McCullom Lake will be invited to the meeting.
Metra plans to acquire 45 acres for the rail yard, according to a letter from the commuter rail service. Although 30 acres are annexed to Johnsburg, the remaining 15 acres are owned by McHenry.
Dominguez said the 15 acres owned by McHenry are directly north of McCullom Lake Road on the west side of the tracks. He said he would like the land annexed to Johnsburg if Metra chooses to build on the site.
“We would like it annexed to Johnsburg because it is going to be a Johnsburg station,” Dominguez said.
Dominguez said that he believes that McHenry officials will cooperate because of the increased train service the city would receive from having the rail yard in Johnsburg.
McHenry City Administrator Doug Maxeiner would not confirm whether McHenry owns the 15 acres that are mentioned in Metra’s letter.
“We don’t think we have any property owned by the city or within our corporate limits that is north of McCullom Lake Road and west of the railroad tracks,” he said.
In November, the McHenry City Council adopted a resolution opposing Metra’s possible expansion.
Many homeowners who live along the tracks south of Petersen Park also are opposed to it.