Geneva’s Third Street commuter parking deck will be closed for about six months starting Monday, Aug. 4, to add a third tier to the existing downtown structure.

The $4.5 million project, which will provide an additional 180 parking spaces, is being funded entirely by grants through Metra. Construction is anticipated to be completed in the winter with additional restoration work being finished next spring.

The city has reached an agreement with Pace Bus to provide free temporary commuter shuttle service and parking at the following locations:

• First Baptist Church East Campus, 2300 South St.
• Baseball field parking lot east of the Public Works Department, 1800 South St.

The shuttles will operate during rush hours to and from Geneva’s Metra station. A map, shuttle schedule and additional parking options are available at the link below.

The expansion project was approved by Metra, the Regional Transit Authority, Illinois Department of Transportation and the Geneva City Council.

The deck is being expanded in order to accommodate parking that will be lost as part of Union Pacific’s future plans to add a third rail line, which will remove some existing surface parking spaces.

The parking deck will be closed to vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists during construction. The contractor also will be closing the Second Street entrance drive to the structure, removing some on-street parking spots.

Signage has been posted at the Metra Station and throughout the area notifying commuters of the construction. The City also has distributed flyers to commuters and business owners about the project.

Once completed, the expanded deck will provide parking for about 540 vehicles.

People who have questions about the project can call the City Administrator’s Office at 630-262-8495 or check the City’s website for updates.