A group of Metra officials appeared before the Downers Grove Village Council for the first time since funding for the Belmont Underpass project was secured in June, outlining some major aspects of the $53 million project including a three-track railroad bridge and pedestrian tunnels.

At the Aug. 12 Village Council workshop Joe Lorenzini, Metra’s lead engineer, said the first portion of construction will begin this fall and will include relocating utilities. Bids for this first phase were due Tuesday. Also during the first year of construction, Lorenzini said, crews will construct commuter parking lots, storm sewers and retention areas.

Commissioners, including Marilyn Schnell, had questions about maintaining the safety of the new station, including inside the pedestrian tunnels and on sidewalks.

“We wanted to make sure pedestrian safety didn’t get lost in train safety,” Schnell said.

Lorenzini said some measures are taken to monitor the stations.

“We will light (the pedestrian tunnels) as much as possible,” Lorenzini said. “We will pay for cameras, but the local police would have to monitor them.”

Lorenzini said design elements would include a terra cotta roof similar to the roof at the Main Street train station.

Mayor Ron Sandack said he and the commissioners are well aware of the project’s importance to residents.

“The village of Downers Grove is thrilled (the project) moved from conceptual to concrete,” Sandack said. “Obviously there’s been a long, hard battle getting to where we are right now.”

Several entities are funding the construction of the underpass. Metra’s contribution is $16.5 million. Other contributors include the Illinois Department of Transportation, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company and the Illinois Commerce Commission. Officials from IDOT recently announced they would increase the department’s contribution from $8.7 million to $17 million to complete funding.