Metra Officials Say Service a Possibility for Northern Illinois

Metra officials say Rockford is on their radar, but it will be years before Winnebago County could see Metra trains rolling through the state line. Metra Executive Director Phil Pagano told WTVO, "Right now we have work to do in our current six counties that make up the RTA and metra. I have been in conversation with Rockford and Winnebago county officials and advised them that there is a federal process that they need to go through." One of the key elements of that process is an alternative analysis study. Such a study goes beyond just rail service and takes a look at bus, rapid transit and other alternatives. Pagano suggests Northern Illinois officials should keep their options open. "I would hope that they would look at those alternatives, because once they come to a conclusion of just rail, the federal government is going to require them to do that, and there`s going to be a lot of feelings on a lot of people`s part, ‘well you`ve spent so much time on this one alternative why didn`t you look at other alternatives? " said Pagano. If metra is the answer for Northern Illinois, it would mean Winnebago County would have to become part of the regional transportation authority. Pagano said "There`s a key decision that Winnebago County has to make and that`s being part of the RTA region which includes the RTA sales tax." RTA`s chairman, Jim Reilly, told WTVO that, although the main focus is on their current six counties, they are looking outside their region. But, like Metra officials, the chairman says there`s plenty of work that needs to be done before that will happen. Northern Illinois alternative analysis study is expected to begin soon. Rockford city officials believe they will have a contract worked out by the end of the month with Transystems. The study is expected to cost about $3 million and should be completed by next spring or early summer.