The Metra train line will not come to DeKalb any time soon, but expansion plans will benefit local residents and students.

The closest place to pick up the train to Chicago from DeKalb currently is located in Geneva. Within a year, Elburn, which is about 25 miles east of DeKalb in Kane County, will become the last stop on the Union Pacific West Line to Chicago, Metra spokesman Dan Schnolis said.

The issue of Metra or Amtrak extending their services to DeKalb County has come up numerous times in city and town meetings in the past two decades. In 1974, the Regional Transportation Authority Act was passed.

DeKalb County has yet to pass a referendum allocating tax dollars to have a continuing operating station.

DeKalb was not part of six counties that passed a referendum to fund train services, Schnolis said. Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties did.

DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow said he has spoken with both Metra and Amtrak, and opening the old train station at Sixth and Seventh streets was a possibility.

However, a referendum needs to be passed before talk about opening up the abandoned train station can begin, Sparrow said.

He said referendums rely heavily on residents’ input.

“Referendums for our school districts are difficult to pass, so the likelihood for Metra to bring their services to DeKalb is not hopeful for the near future,” Sparrow said.

The Elburn extension is part of a three-project expansion that will be completed early next year.

The expected cost of the Union Pacific expansion to Elburn is $134 million. The expansion is funded fully by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Other expansions will include the southwest service to Orland Park and the north central service to Antioch.

“The parking situation in Geneva is overcrowded,” Schnolis said. “In addition to Union Pacific being the most heavily populated train line into the city, there was a need for extension.”