The McHenry County Board heard the annual report from Metra at its November meeting from John Morris, Metra Chief Financial Officer.
Below are the minutes:
Mr. Morris presented the agency’s 2025 operating and capital budgets to the McHenry County Board.
For the operating budget, Metra is projecting expenses of $1.135 billion in 2025, a 4% increase over 2024.
This budget maintains fares at current levels and utilizes strong sales tax revenues as well as remaining federal COVID relief funds to cover the operations.
Ridership is expected to increase 7% in 2025 compared to 2024, though still below pre-pandemic levels as office and hybrid work patterns continue to impact commuter travel.
Metra’s 2025 capital budget is $366 million, funded primarily through federal formula funds, state motor fuel taxes, and RTA innovation grants. Key capital projects include:
- Purchasing new rail cars and locomotives
- Rehabilitating aging bridges, tracks, and infrastructure
- Upgrading signals, electrical, and communications systems
- Improving stations and parking facilities
- Specific capital projects mentioned in McHenry County include $2.5 million to renew the signal system in Crystal Lake and $2.4 million to rehabilitate the Pingree Road station in Crystal Lake
Metra also discussed the ongoing planning and public engagement process for a potential new rail yard facility in Woodstock, which is in the preliminary engineering and environmental review stages.
Overall, Metra’s presentation focused on maintaining operations, upgrading aging infrastructure, and advancing key capital projects across the regional commuter rail system.
Full comments can be heard on the McHenry County website audio starting at 00:40:46
